PM to discuss with Transport Ministry on cheap flight tickets for varsity students

SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be discussing with Transport Minister Anthony Loke on the possibility of introducing cheap flight tickets for university students as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri season approaches.

Anwar said flight tickets might be an issue to some families due to the high cost.

"Flight ticket subsidies for students make sense. We may have to negotiate with some airlines.

"I will discuss this with the Transport Minister. This means that I accept this as an issue," said Anwar during a dialog session with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam students on Friday (April 7).

Anwar was responding to a question by a student on whether the government has plans to introduce cheaper flight tickets, given that air fares from Sabah and Sarawak were priced exorbitantly at times.

Anwar noted that flight tickets to Kuala Lumpur may be expensive for some students coming from Sabah and Sarawak.

"Not everyone comes from well-to-do families and some may be burdened by the high cost," added Anwar.

On March 20, Loke said that to assist students burdened by high flight ticket prices, the government is looking into providing a credit fund for students flying between Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the government would extend the 2023 ewallet assistance to all students in the country.

“Regarding the ewallet, I will decide that it can benefit students (of all age groups),” added Anwar.

When tabling Budget 2023 in Feb, Anwar said RM200 would be distributed to all youths aged between 18 and 20.