DAP wants govt to intervene in excess luggage fees hike

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MIRI: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) is calling for government intervention over the sharp increase imposed by MASwings for excess luggage charges at rural airports in the state.

Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon said the government should intervene over the 200 per cent hike on charges for excess luggage on Twin Otter planes – from RM1 to RM3 per kg – effective Sept 16.

He also said for ATR 72 planes, MASwings had increased the fees for excess baggage (more than 20 kg) from RM5 to RM8 per kg.

“The rural people are most affected by the new charges as they are usually poor with low or irregular income. Also, it is their only form of transport,” Dr Ting told a press conference

here yesterday which was also attended by state DAP secretary Alan Ling and officer-in-charge of DAP Miri office Peter Hee.

According to Dr Ting, the people of Bario, Ba Kelalan, Marudi, Mulu, Limbang and Lawas were most affected by the increased charges.

He cited, as an example, the base fee for a Miri-Marudi flight using a Twin Otter plane was RM51, along with carrier fee (RM16) and airport tax (RM11.66), which brought the total to RM78.66, excluding a RM30-charge for a 20kg-luggage.

“For the Miri-Bario (one way flight), the base fee is RM91, carrier fee (RM16), airport tax (RM6.66), making it RM118.66 in total. Add to that (an extra) RM60 for a 30kg-luggage.

“I received a lot of complaints from the public about this increment and I hope the state government would do something about it,” Dr Ting said.

The DAP also called upon MASwings to reconsider the excess baggage fee by increasing the base weight to 20kg for Twin Otter planes and 30kg for ATR 72s.

On an unrelated issue, Dr Ting urged the relevant authority to look into the stuffy waiting room at Miri Polyclinic, which he said was due to non-functioning air conditioners.

As for Miri Hospital, he said one of the elevators was not working, and wanted urgent repairs be done.

Hee, meanwhile, said the football field at Desa Senadin has been overgrown with grass since it was constructed two years ago.

He was made to understand that the government had spent RM100,000 to construct the facility, but which “has never been used”.