KUCHING: A team comprising airline industry experts and representatives from Sarawak and Sabah are being assembled to negotiate with Khazanah Nasional Berhad on acquiring MASwings.
Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said the federal government had given its approval for the negotiation since Sarawak and Sabah were keen to take over the regional airline.
“Negotiations will start soon,” he said when met by reporters at Plaza Merdeka’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house on Saturday.
Asked whether the regional airline would be expanded to operate international routes, he said, “That is one part of our negotiations.”
He, however, was quick to add, “But we would like it to be regional.”
Last April 28, Abang Johari, during his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly, said Sabah and Sarawak had proposed to take over MASwings to improve air connectivity and enhance travel into the deep interior of the two states.
“We have written to Khazanah on the matter, but so far, we have not received the final answer from them yet, so we will pursue this matter until they say yes or no.”