MASwings Expansion To BIMP-EAGA Will Not Harm Domestic Operations, Says Nor Mohamed

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- MASwings' move to fly to destinations in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will not in any way affect its obligation to serve interior areas in Sabah and Sarawak, Minister in the Malaysia Prime Miniser's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said Wednesday. Instead, the airlines' expansion to the sub-region would result in more economic growth opportunities and new markets to the two states in diverse economic sectors, particularly in tourism, medical, education, agriculture, trade and investment, he said. Previously, MASwings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS)was only operating within East Malaysia states, Sabah and Sarawak. "MASwings' business growth and a new market in BIMP-EAGA promises higher revenue to the airline besides contributing to MASwings' lower operational costs," he told a media conference to mark MASwings inaugural flight from Kota Kinabalu to Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Under proposed plans, MASwings is to start flying to Bandar Seri Begawan from Kota Kinabalu twice daily and from Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan thrice weekly from today, he said. It will operate one flight daily between Kuching and Pontianak (Indonesia) from Feb 6 and from Tawau to Tarakan (Indonesia) beginning Feb 13. Nor Mohamed said MASWings was the first Malaysian aviation company to link the "designated points" under the memorandum of understanding signed on Jan 12, 2007 by the governments of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines for air route expansion to the sub-region. He said MASwings' extension to BIMP-EAGA not only provided the keenly-awaited air link within destinations in the sub-region but also fulfilled the corporate social responsibility requirement to forge mutual friendship and goodwill among the people in the BIMP-EAGA member countries. "MASwings' flights to provinces under BIMP-EAGA will provide the impetus and serve as a catalyst for the provinces' socio-economic growth," he said. Stressing that MASwings' decision to expand to BIMP-EAGA was something to be proud of, the minister urged the governments of member states to emulate the Malaysian Government's move to rope in the private sector to explore the potentials available at the growth triangle. He urged the governments and the authorities under BIMP-EAGA to seriously consider giving incentives or discounts to help reduce MASwings' operational costs. On landing rights and air routes to be awarded to Sabah Air following MAS' decision to discontinue flights to several international destinations, Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government has not made any decision on the matter. MAS stopped serving the Kota Kinabalu-Osaka sector on Jan 6 and Kota Kinabalu-Perth route on Tuesday. The national carrier has also shelved the Kota Kinabalu-Haneda sector from today and Kota Kinabalu-Seoul on Feb 21 as part of its rationalisation plan. The Federal Government would ensure Sabah and Sarawak's interests are protected, particularly the tourism sector's growth, added the minister, who is in-charge of the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department. -- BERNAMA