KUCHING, April 23 — Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today claimed that the Opposition is critical of the state government’s move to run a boutique airline out of fear that they will lose the people’s support.
“The moment we go fast and set up the airline more people will be supporting us. We have good leaders here,” Karim told reporters at his Hari Raya open house.
“That is why the opposition has been critical of us, not just with the airline, but also with other things that we have done for the state,” he said, in reference to Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii who had expressed his opposition to the setting up of the airline.
According to Yii, the setting up of the boutique airline would not be viable and would have an adverse economic impact on Sarawak.
Karim stressed that Sarawak has the financial means to set up the boutique airline.
“This year alone, Sarawak’s revenue is projected to be in the billions. Why not use the money for the benefit of the people, instead of putting it in the bank?
“We can’t please everybody. But if you look at it, I would be very much against the setting up of the airline if we don’t have the means.
“We have reached a certain level where we can afford to spend more.
“It is the same with the setting up of the airline. Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and I would not be thinking of setting up of the airline if we don’t have the money,” he said.
He said the setting up of the airline came about following a series of townhall sessions with Sarawakians working and studying in Peninsular Malaysia complaining of having to pay expensive airfares when they wanted to home during festive occasions.
He said instead of giving subsidies for their airfares, it is better for the state government to set up its own airline that will offer cheaper airfares.
