End unfair festive airfare burdens on east Malaysians

 

As the long public holiday period for East Malaysians approaches including Wesak Day on 31st May, Kaamatan in Sabah, Gawai Dayak in Sarawak on 1st and 2nd June, and the Agong’s Birthday celebration many Sarawakians and Sabahans working and studying in Peninsular Malaysia are once again facing excessively high airfares to return home and celebrate with their families and communities.

Reports of one-way flight tickets between Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak, as well as Sabah, reaching RM1,000 to RM1,500 have caused widespread frustration and concern on social media.

For many ordinary families, students, and workers, such prices are simply unaffordable.

Festive seasons such as Gawai and Kaamatan are deeply significant cultural celebrations for Sarawak and Sabah respectively.

At the same time, these occasions are also widely respected and celebrated by many Malaysians regardless of race and religion, reflecting the spirit of unity, harmony, and cultural diversity in the country.

Every year, thousands of East Malaysians travel home to reunite with loved ones, uphold traditions, and celebrate together in the spirit of togetherness and cultural appreciation.

Access to affordable transportation during this period should therefore be treated as a serious national concern.

Airlines and the relevant authorities are fully aware of the annual surge in travel demand during major festive seasons and long public holidays.

As such, proactive measures including additional flight frequencies, better fare management, and effective intervention mechanisms should already be in place to prevent excessive fare increases.

East Malaysians already face higher living and transportation costs due to geographical separation from Peninsular Malaysia. Affordable domestic connectivity is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

Many Sarawakians and Sabahans are increasingly frustrated that, despite predictable festive travel demand, airfare prices continue to surge without effective safeguards or meaningful intervention from the authorities.

The recurring spike in airfares during festive seasons has led many to question the seriousness of efforts by the authorities and airlines to ensure fair and accessible domestic connectivity.

We therefore call upon the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, under the leadership of Anthony Loke, together with airlines including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines, to take immediate and meaningful action to address this recurring issue.

Sarawak Rights Activist suggests that the following measures be seriously considered:
1. Implementation of reasonable airfare control mechanisms during festive seasons and long public holidays.
2. Additional flights for high-demand routes between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.
3. Special subsidised fare allocations for students and lower-income East Malaysians.
4. Greater transparency regarding airfare pricing during peak travel periods.

East Malaysians contribute significantly to the nation’s economy and development. Sarawakians and Sabahans deserve fair treatment, equitable connectivity, and reasonable access to return home during important cultural celebrations.

This issue should not continue to recur year after year without long-term solutions. We are not tourists. We just want to go home and to be with our families.

Therefore, affordable travel for East Malaysians during festive seasons is not a privilege but a matter of fairness, inclusion, and national unity.— Focus Malaysia