By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Youth Council (SYC) has voiced concern over soaring airfares between Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur, particularly during peak seasons.
Its president, Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan said the issue is no longer merely about travel but also involves access to education, economic opportunities, social mobility and family ties.
He said that for Sabahans, air travel was not a luxury but a necessity as there were no road or rail alternatives connecting Sabah with the peninsula.
“When fares are too high, students may have to postpone their return to campus, young entrepreneurs may miss opportunities, athletes may have to reconsider participating in competitions, while parents have to find extra money just to buy tickets for their children.
“More sadly, when Sabahans in the peninsula receive news of an emergency or the death of a family member, the first thing they have to think about is: can I afford a ticket home?
“Distance should not be a punishment for Sabahans,” he said in a statement.
According to Abqaree, excessively high mobility costs would ultimately affect Sabah’s development as people from the state had to bear the “cost of geography” to access educational, employment and economic opportunities at the national level.
Therefore, SYC urged the Federal Government and relevant parties to consider more effective interventions, including increasing seat capacity during peak seasons, encouraging competition among airlines and strengthening monitoring of airfare increases.
SYC also proposed that assistance mechanisms or targeted fares be considered for certain groups, such as students, athletes and those travelling due to family emergencies.
“We understand that the aviation industry has operating costs and that prices are influenced by demand.
“But geographical factors should not cause Sabahans to pay excessively high prices to access the same opportunities.
“SYC is not asking for free tickets. We are asking for a fairer system.
“Because flights between Sabah and the peninsula do more than connect two destinations; they connect families, education, jobs, opportunities and the future of Sabah’s children,” he said.
Abqaree said that for Sabahans, air travel was not a luxury but a necessity as there were no road or rail alternatives connecting Sabah with the peninsula.
