KUCHING: Malaysia Productivity Council (MPC) board member Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg welcomes the initiative taken by the government to allow AirAsia Group Sdn Bhd to take over the Kota Kinabalu (KK)-Sibu route as well as the KKBintulu route from MASwings Sdn Bhd next year.
“I am pleased to hear that. In fact it is overdue. It should be implemented much earlier than this,” he said when asked by reporters after launching the Showcasing Tourism Products (STP) Sarawak yesterday. AirAsia Group Sdn Bhd is set to take over the KK-Sibu and KK-Bintulu routes from MASwings Sdn Bhd starting January next year following the Cabinet’s approval last week. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the contract with MASwings, the current route operator, which supposed to end in 2024, would be terminated.
“This will help the government to save between RM10mil and RM20mil for both routes from 2020 onwards. “If the response is very positive, than the airline should consider more frequent services to be offered as well as extend their services to other parts in Sarawak including the remote areas.
I think we need AirAsia to really serve all corners of Sarawak,” Karim pointed out. According to him, many complaints on the KK-Bintulu route have been received especially from the businessmen.
“Alhamdulillah, at least now they are trying to rectify that,” he added. On how it is going to affect the tourism sector in the state in general, Karim said, “Yes, it would affect but only internal, but it can help to provide extra flights but not for business as well for tourism. “Our problem is connectivity to other areas. That is why we hope AirAsia can also provide routes to outside Sarawak.
