Did the Transport Minister fail to ensure extra flights?

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Transport Minister Accused of Failing to Arrange Additional Flights During Festive Seasons

Sabah DAP leader Chan Foong Hin has accused the Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong of failing to ensure the arrangement of additional flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo Malaysia during festive periods. This alleged oversight has contributed to the significant increase in airfares, with return trips during the recent Aidilfitri season reportedly costing around RM2,000. Chan believes that proactively increasing flight capacity is the most effective method to manage ticket prices.
Lack of Additional Flight Arrangements Cited

Chan Foong Hin expressed disappointment, stating that Minister Wee Ka Siong had not made arrangements for extra flights to accommodate the predictable surge in demand during festive seasons. He highlighted that the increased need for air travel to Sabah from the peninsula during these times is a recurring and foreseeable event. Therefore, Chan finds it unacceptable that no measures were taken to ensure the availability of additional flights, suggesting a neglect of responsibility.
Proposal for Increased Flight Capacity

Instead of imposing price ceilings, Chan advocates for increasing the number of flights as the primary solution to control escalating airfares. He pointed to the Pakatan Harapan administration's approach in 2018, where then-Transport Minister Anthony Loke personally facilitated the arrangement of 458 additional flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia for the Hari Raya celebration. This historical precedent, Chan argues, demonstrates a viable strategy for managing demand and preventing exorbitant price hikes.
High Fares During Aidilfitri Season

Recent reports indicate that flight fares for return trips between the peninsula and Borneo Malaysia during the Aidilfitri season, spanning April 29 to May 8, reached approximately RM2,000. This significant cost has been described as "burdening the people" by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and "daylight robbery" by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. The accessibility of Sabah solely by air from peninsular Malaysia amplifies the impact of these high fares, as noted by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin.

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Did the Transport Minister fail to ensure extra flights?

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