CORONAVIRUS | A DAP leader has questioned why the government has yet to wield its “big stick” against airlines that have failed to bring home stranded Malaysians.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister I P Ramasamy said these airlines fly between Malaysia and other destinations but "have not lived up" to their obligations to bring back passengers in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Surely, when it comes to rescuing the stranded Malaysians, the government has every right to wield the big stick to ensure that the concerned airlines honour the return tickets that are being held by the stranded passengers whether in India or elsewhere," Ramasamy said in a statement.
"Surely, when it comes to rescuing the stranded Malaysians, the government has every right to wield the big stick to ensure that the concerned airlines honour the return tickets that are being held by the stranded passengers whether in India or elsewhere," Ramasamy said in a statement.
"Why is the prime minister or the National Security Council keeping quiet on this matter?lines to bring back the stranded passengers.
"Isn’t this an important obligation on the part of a responsible government?" he further queried.
Ramasamy said there were more than 2,000 passengers stuck in the cities of Trichy, Chennai, Bombay and Amritsar, India.
He cited the example of MIC which was supposed to raise funds to sponsor 12 flights from India.
He noted that the party had approached local Indians for sponsorship, and few business figures have come forward.
"As I have said before, the issue is not about political parties raising or not raising funds to bring back stranded Malaysians from abroad.
"If the government is in a hopeless financial situation, then there is moral necessity to raise funds to bring back those who are stranded," he added.
"As I have said before, the issue is not about political parties raising or not raising funds to bring back stranded Malaysians from abroad.
"If the government is in a hopeless financial situation, then there is moral necessity to raise funds to bring back those who are stranded," he added.
"My question is simple: the vast majority of Malaysian passengers stranded in India or other countries purchased return tickets.
"How come the airlines that took them earlier to their foreign destinations, have not honoured their contractual obligations to their passengers?" Ramasamy queried.
"How come the airlines that took them earlier to their foreign destinations, have not honoured their contractual obligations to their passengers?" Ramasamy queried.
On March 28, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kamarudin Jaffar said there were 3,618 Malaysians stranded in 58 countries.
He added, Putrajaya was in the process of repatriating citizens stranded overseas by travel restrictions, including from Maldives, India and Egypt.
Ramasamy alleged that the two airlines that fly frequently between Malaysia and destinations in India, do not even answer the calls of the passengers.
He said these airlines do not even take into account that fuel prices have gone down by more than 30 percent in the last few weeks.
"Under the present difficult and trying circumstances, it is understandable why airlines have terminated their flights, perhaps they had no option with the government imposing movement control and other measures," Ramasamy said.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy claimed there is some degree of disquiet among Wisma Putra officials, particularly those in the Malaysian missions abroad.
According to Ramasamy, they are facing the "brunt of the anger and frustrations" of the stranded passengers.
He pointed out that in addition to handling the stranded passengers to return home, Wisma Putra officers were made de facto airline officers.
"They are made to answer enquiries from the angry and desperate stranded passengers as the concerned airlines have directed passengers enquires to Malaysian missions," Ramasamy claimed.
"They are in a dilemma as to why the government has taken a soft stand towards the concerned airlines that have clearly shirked their responsibility," he added.
"I believe that concerned airlines must come forward to discharge their public responsibility at a time the nation as a whole is in agony."
Ramasamy said if these airlines made their fortunes during good times, surely they cannot recede to the background during difficult times.
He reminded them that Malaysia and the region have supported the said airlines in good times to the extent that some have made it to the best budget airline at the global level in the airline industry consecutively for a number of years.
He recalled that the government had obtained favourable landing rights for these airlines in many countries and facilitated their operations through bilateral air services agreements.
"Some of it has taken many years to negotiate. Surely at times of national crisis, these airlines have a moral responsibility to reciprocate these gestures," Ramasamy said. - Mkini
Ramasamy alleged that the two airlines that fly frequently between Malaysia and destinations in India, do not even answer the calls of the passengers.
He said these airlines do not even take into account that fuel prices have gone down by more than 30 percent in the last few weeks.
"Under the present difficult and trying circumstances, it is understandable why airlines have terminated their flights, perhaps they had no option with the government imposing movement control and other measures," Ramasamy said.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy claimed there is some degree of disquiet among Wisma Putra officials, particularly those in the Malaysian missions abroad.
According to Ramasamy, they are facing the "brunt of the anger and frustrations" of the stranded passengers.
He pointed out that in addition to handling the stranded passengers to return home, Wisma Putra officers were made de facto airline officers.
"They are made to answer enquiries from the angry and desperate stranded passengers as the concerned airlines have directed passengers enquires to Malaysian missions," Ramasamy claimed.
"They are in a dilemma as to why the government has taken a soft stand towards the concerned airlines that have clearly shirked their responsibility," he added.
"I believe that concerned airlines must come forward to discharge their public responsibility at a time the nation as a whole is in agony."
Ramasamy said if these airlines made their fortunes during good times, surely they cannot recede to the background during difficult times.
He reminded them that Malaysia and the region have supported the said airlines in good times to the extent that some have made it to the best budget airline at the global level in the airline industry consecutively for a number of years.
He recalled that the government had obtained favourable landing rights for these airlines in many countries and facilitated their operations through bilateral air services agreements.
"Some of it has taken many years to negotiate. Surely at times of national crisis, these airlines have a moral responsibility to reciprocate these gestures," Ramasamy said. - Mkini
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