KUCHING: Sarawak may look into discounts on AirBorneo airfares to encourage Sarawakians outside the state to fly home to vote in the coming state election.
However, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said any offer of discounts must not be misinterpreted as bribery or inducement.
"We will look into it, as long as it is not tantamount to bribery. If you give special discounts, people can interpret it as a certain incentive.
"So we have to look at the definition. People may twist the issue, and a lot of this is now going on," he told reporters after launching AirBorneo's inaugural Kuching-Jakarta flight at Kuching International Airport on Friday (Nov 13).
Asked about possible high airfares in December, Abang Johari said AirBorneo offered a fixed fare of RM375 one-way on its Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route.
"People can fly back on AirBorneo with this fare. But if we sponsor (the fares), then people may think it is bribery," he added.
On Nov 4, local NGO Bantu Sarawak called on AirBorneo to consider introducing a special election travel package for Sarawakians to travel home to vote.
The Sarawak election will take place on Dec 12, with nominations on Nov 28.
