Lating checks airfares on his mobile phone.
KAPIT (Nov 25): Kapit District Council (KDC) walikota Lating Minggang has likened peak season airfares to “licensed daylight robbery”.
He called on the federal Ministry of Transport to address the issue so that airlines practise corporate social responsibility in East Malaysia.
For the freshest news, join our Telegram Channel.
“It is somehow like licensed daylight robbery and this is also a reflection of some of the dilemma being faced by East Malaysians when it comes to travelling during peak periods like school holidays,” he said when contacted.
“Undoubtedly, East Malaysians are being exploited by airline price gouging yet again. In marketing, this is supply and demand. However, we should also look at the integration effort and means to help East Malaysians.”
He said rural folk in particular are frustrated by the airfare prices for routes such as Sibu-Kuala Lumpur, Sibu-Kuching, and Sibu-Kota Kinabalu.
According to him, such high airfares are impacting negatively on thousands of Kapit folk working elsewhere.
“For example, the semi-skilled workers working overseas like lumberjacks or those with oil exploration firms. They work for three months and take a month’s break normally. During the vacation, they come back to Kapit to visit their families,” he said.
According to him, students furthering their studies elsewhere are also unable to come home due to the high airfares.