KUCHING: The acquisition of MASwings by the Sarawak government is believed to be able to improve the tourism industry and spur businesses including in the rural areas of Sarawak.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said with this, Sarawak holds a large equity and control over the flight destinations.
“Of course this will give Sarawak an opportunity to further increase the tourism industry, especially in the interior areas that were difficult to reach before,” he told reporters when met at the Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK) here today.
Earlier, Abdul Karim attended the signing ceremony Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Management of Rural Air Services by Acquisition of Shares in MASwings.
He said that with the acquisition, flights to rural areas and regional areas would be increased and this would further boost the tourism industry in Sarawak.
“When we have our own airline, we have the power to determine the destination that we want to fly to and in terms of the frequency of the flight. Of course it will make it easier for Sarawak to organise tourism programmes such as the Sia Sitok Sarawak Travel Campaign,” he said.
Apart from that, he said one of the requests of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg before the takeover of MASwings was that it must operate beyond Borneo.
“This means that the airline can fly to Jakarta, Bangkok and many more, thus increasing the state’s tourism industry,” he said.
