MAS asked to lower fare to Sabah, Sarawak
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 18, 2006

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak told delegates at the Umno general assembly yesterday that the government will talk to Malaysia Airlines (MAS) on reducing airfare to Sabah and Sarawak soon.

The national carrier had recently raised fares to destinations in Sabah and Sarawak by 25 percent to cover higher fuel costs. It is still recovering from its losses of more than RM2 billion.

According to Bernama, Najib said MAS fares to the two states should not burden the passengers who had no other better means to travel between the peninsula and the two east Malaysian states.

Talks next week

"Regarding the 25 percent increase in (MAS) airfares to Sabah and Sarawak, we will hold discussion (with the airlines) next week to (ask them to) bring down the rate...," he said in his winding up speech at the assembly.

"I agree with the Sabah delegates there is no other faster means for them to travel to Peninsular Malaysia (apart from using the aeroplane). They cannot drive their cars here."

Najib also said the government had asked MAS and AirAsia to increase the flight frequencies to Sabah and Sarawak in view of higher demand.

Copyright © 1999-2006 Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd