Lack of flights a snag in intrastate travel

STARTING next month, all intrastate flights in Sabah and Sarawak would be exempted from the sales and service tax (SST), as announced by the government recently. Hopefully, this exemption would result in cheaper flights between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak.

Unlike in the peninsula where people can drive between towns and states in the comfort of their own vehicles, Sarawakians and Sabahans have no choice but to travel by aircraft to and from their home states.

Firstly, we hope the exemption would result in more Malaysians travelling to Sabah and Sarawak to experience the multiracial, multireligious and multicultural diversity of people living in harmony in these states. There are definitely lots of things to see, including the world heritage sites of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah and Mulu in Sarawak, iconic orang utans and pygmy elephants. Businesses in these two states would certainly benefit from the increase in visitors from the peninsula. Meanwhile, the number of Sabahans and Sarawakians travelling to the peninsula would also increase due to the lower air fares.

The likely snag is the lack of flights between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. Shortage of flights is not new and has been a long-standing issue for decades. During peak travelling times like school holidays and festive occasions, it is very difficult to get a seat on flights to Sabah or Sarawak and the prices are very steep too.

The airlines have complete monopoly and this is one area that needs serious consideration by the government. An open air policy needs to be considered in order to ensure more reasonable air fares to Sarawak and Sabah. PHILIP WONG PAK MING Sarawak Institute for Public Affairs Kuching