KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has again spoken out about what he describes as pricey airfare between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak.
The Kinabatangan MP contended that the cost of air tickets was especially excessive during school holidays or the festive periods, making Sabahans and Sarawakians think twice about travelling “across the pond”.
“This is not a new issue, but it keeps happening,” he said during the debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 5).
“The airfare for economy seats between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, particularly during school breaks and festive periods, can reach up to RM3,800 just for a one-way ticket,” he said.
The Sabah Umno chief said airlines should reconsider the matter, which he described as burdening the ordinary people in the state.
He called on the Transport Ministry to find a more concrete solution to help people avoid incurring higher living costs, especially during the challenging economic climate.
Bung Moktar has been consistently speaking out against soaring airfares in previous Dewan Rakyat sessions.
The government has come up with measures to overcome the issue of expensive flights.
Last month, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said one-way economy class flight tickets from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan were fixed at a maximum of RM599 for travel three days before Hari Raya, to assist the people returning to their hometowns for the festival.
