(From left) Abang Johari and Masidi together with several distinguished guests admiring the banner that depicts MASwings’ ‘The New Beginning’ campaign.
KUCHING: Sarawak and Sabah are standing as one, as far as the potential of MASwings serving beyond East Malaysia is concerned.
Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg believed that the community airline subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) would need to think beyond Sarawak and Sabah, should it want to take advantage of the growing economies across the East Asian region.
“MASwings has the potential to become a regional airline serving not only Sarawak and Sabah, but also the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area),” Abang Johari, who is also Housing Minister, said at the launch of MASwings’ ‘The New Beginning’ at Kuching Waterfront on Friday night.
The campaign is slated for enhancing its customer service via new initiatives.
The minister, however, stated that the state government was keeping a close watch on the carrier’s development, with all eyes on MAS’ ongoing major restructuring.
“Being a subsidiary of MAS, MASwings cannot make its own decision,” he said, pointing out that past restructuring exercises had put adverse impact on the state by way of termination of several international flight routes.
Nonetheless, Abang Johari called on the aviation industry to look into eco-tourism as the fastest growing segment of global tourism in which Sabah and Sarawak had been focusing heavily on, urging for more efforts into finding an alternative to air-link East Malaysia towards the capitalisation of this lucrative market.
“That’s why I agree with Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister) in taking a common position towards exposing Sarawak and Sabah to, as well as linking (the two states) with the international market.
“Perhaps, MAS stakeholders should look into the possibility of MASwings becoming Sabah and Sarawak regional airline, linking the two states with strategic hubs such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore and Jakarta,” he added.
Abang Johari also suggested that autonomous entity and management could be the step
for the proposed regional carrier to succeed, thus allowing MASwings to compete with other airlines operating within this region.
“There will be risks in any competition. As such, a calculated planning is crucial in ensuring its success. Prudent management is the core for any business entity to succeed and at the same time, analyse opportunities for expansion.
“With a regional airline, we must also make sure to bring the business community within Asean to forge closer relationship, so as to expand businesses into these particular areas.”
Earlier on, Masidi hoped that the current restructuring of MAS would not again put Sarawak and Sabah in a position of great disadvantage.
“It is high time for MAS to re-evaluate its strategy by perhaps giving more autonomy to MASwings, so that it (MASwings) can go by its own.
“MASwings should reconsider its role in serving beyond the shores of Borneo because I believe it is financially and economically viable.”
Masidi also emphasised another hope, which is for MAS to also consider providing better services to Sarawakians and Sabahans under its restructuring, stating: “Because we deserve it, and we need it.”
He disclosed that the Sabah government had taken steps to relook the potential in BIMP-EAGA.
“Just a couple of days ago, Asean tourism ministers converged on Kota Kinabalu and there was a lot of enthusiasm in forging closer relationship among Asean members,” he said, highlighting the need the need for a flight to cater for this part of the world.
“Ninety-four per cent of international visitors to Sabah arrive by air, which is why air connectivity is very important in boosting not only the tourism industry, but also overall state development.
“I’m sure that it would be a good financial investment for the future. I believe that MASwings is capable of generating financial gains for its parent company,” Masidi added.
The event was attended by Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip, permanent Tourism Ministry secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, Sabah Tourism chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and its general manager Datuk Irene Chararuks, as well as MASwings chief executive officer Capt Ritzerwan Rashid.