DAP Sabah strongly condemns the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for imposing new fees on airliners operating in Malaysia, including budget airlines AirAsia and MalindoAir.
Consequently, this move will hurt the aviation industry of Malaysia and particularly the competitiveness of airliners, as well as tourism industry player. I was shocked to learn that the DCA has taken such drastic move to increase the fees and risk killing off the entire aviation as well as tourism industry in Malaysia.
I urge Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to explain what is happening and clarify this matter. It was reported by The Star Online this morning the increase would be up to ten times higher than present rate. In particular, the flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, a high-frequency route, could cost airlines more from a mere RM160-RM176 to RM1,600-RM1,760 for 800 nautical miles.
This is crazy, unreasonable and totally unacceptable. It is akin to killing the goose that lays golden eggs. The new fee when come into effect, will drastically affect Sabah’s competitiveness as a whole, especially in tourism industry.
Note that the tourism sector is presently facing hardship now, and the implementation of this new fee will eventually force airline companies to increase airfares that will cause a drastic decrease in the number of visitors to Malaysia and Sabah in particular.
Although the fees will be directly imposed on airline companies, it is not a secret that the costs will be eventually passed on to consumers. For people who usually take flights to work or study, this is a great burden. For the travellers who desire to visit Malaysia, the higher fares would make them think twice.
Unlike West Malaysians, Sabahans do not have the luxury of an alternative option. Cities and states in West Malaysia are interconnected via roads, and is accessible via public transport or private vehicles. For Sabahans who travel overseas for studies or work, the first route is normally a direct flight to Kuala Lumpur.
To add to the insult, Sabahans are currently forking-out extra money due to the GST imposed. Sabahans again, do not have an option to choose from. The only route from KL to KK is via sky, as such, any Sabahan who wish to travel to KL will be forced to pay GST.
I urge the DCA, Transport Ministry and Federal Government to stop bullying Sabahans by imposing unfair and discriminating policies.