Costly airfare an ‘oppression’ – Labuan PBS
by Adrian Nandu. Posted on September 6, 2011, Tuesday
LABUAN: Labuan PBS divisional chief Peter Mak yesterday said the airfare for the Labuan-Kota Kinabalu route is burdening the people.
Mak told The Borneo Post that the unreasonable airfare was ‘killing’ those who have no other choice but to use air transportation.
“The victims have been those facing emergency situations as well as businessmen chasing for time.
“This issue had been highlighted by us and others in the past but the problem still remains unresolved until today.
“After numerous calls made by the locals which had never caught the attention of the relevant bodies, PBS once again requests for Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) to look into this matter seriously,” he said.
Mak likened the situation as a form of ‘oppression’ on the people of Labuan.
He further added that PBS and the people of Labuan are deeply concerned that the situation could worsen, especially so with the recent collaboration between the MAS and AirAsia.
“We have grounds to worry that the collaboration between the two airlines will eventually lead into a monopoly and taking advantage of it through price manipulation.
“The problem could become worse for the islanders since the airfare would not only affect the Labuan-Kota Kinabalu route but also the Labuan-Kuala Lumpur route as well,” Mak said.
He hoped that the government which has taken care of the people’s interest and welfare, would look into this matter thoroughly and speedily.
