KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has dismissed criticisms by Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak secretary George Lam on the state government’s purchase of ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Its Kuching branch assistant publicity and information secretary Jong Zhen Xiang dismissed the criticisms as misleading, emphasising the long-term benefits of ownership over leasing.
“While leasing may involve lower short-term costs, accumulated rental fees over time could far exceed the cost of purchasing an aircraft.
“Owning the fleet ensures greater financial stability and operational autonomy, reducing reliance on external leasing companies,” he stated.
He also defended the necessity of AirBorneo, clarifying that it aims to improve air connectivity and reduce high fares.
“For years, Sarawakians have endured exorbitant airfares and unreliable flight schedules, hindering economic and tourism development, which is why AirBorneo was created to break monopolies and provide affordable, efficient travel options — this is not about politics, it’s about the people,” he said.
“Dismissing this as ‘wasteful expenditure’ ignores the struggles of ordinary Sarawakians who have long suffered from high airfares, and AirBorneo is the solution to that.”
Addressing concerns over financial transparency, Jong assured that the initiative is backed by thorough planning, saying Sarawak’s financial position is stronger than when DAP was in federal power and that the state is fully capable of making strategic investments to benefit the people.
He urged the opposition to propose data-driven alternatives instead of mere criticism.
“We welcome rational discussions, but baseless and misleading statements must be addressed.
“If the opposition genuinely cares about Sarawak’s development, they should offer practical solutions rather than resorting to unconstructive criticism.”
