KAJANG: The RM499 ceiling price for flights between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak will be maintained for the coming Kaamatan and Gawai festivals despite the fuel supply crisis, says the Transport Minister
Anthony Loke said the RM499 tickets will only be available for three days before Kaamatan which begins on May 30, and three days before Gawai starting June 1.
He said the government will bear an additional top-up to the airlines involved to ensure they only charged the maximum fare of RM499 for the periods involved.
“If a flight ticket is supposed to be RM1,000 due to the current global supply crisis, the government will subsidise RM501 to the airline to keep the price at RM499.
“This will increase the government’s financial burden but we intend to maintain the longstanding festive season price standard for the people,” he told reporters after opening a new Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre here yesterday.
On festive traffic, Loke said at least 2,000 Road Transport Department enforcement officers will be deployed to improve road safety during the Hari Raya Aidiladha holidays starting today.
He said they will be placed at strategic locations across the country to ensure safe motoring under the “Perception of Being Caught” approach.
“The objective is not to issue summonses, but to ensure road users take notice and be cautious when they spot the enforcement officers.
“People psychologically tend to drive more carefully when they spot enforcement vehicles or officers.
“We will also not conduct roadblocks during the festive period as this will only worsen traffic congestion,” he said.
Loke said the operation will be conducted with police and focused on accident hotspots, with commercial vehicles, mainly express buses, to be checked.
He said inspections will also be conducted on buses and bus drivers at terminals.
“This will include medical tests and screening to ensure they are healthy and not under any substance influence. The buses will also be inspected to ensure they are in good condition and fit for travel.”
