The Sabah Youth Council (MBS) has raised concerns over the high cost of air travel between Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur, particularly during peak travel periods, warning that expensive fares could affect education, employment opportunities and family connections.
MBS president Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan said air travel should be regarded as a necessity for Sabahans rather than a luxury, given that there are no direct road or rail connections linking the state with Peninsular Malaysia.
He said steep airfares could make it difficult for tertiary students to travel back to their campuses, while young entrepreneurs and athletes could miss important opportunities because of the high cost of flights.
Families could also face significant financial pressure when they need to travel urgently due to emergencies, he added.
Abqaree said Sabah’s wider development could be affected when its people are forced to bear what he described as a “geographical penalty” simply to access education, employment and business opportunities at the national level.
He stressed that affordable connectivity between Sabah and the peninsula was important to ensure Sabahans were not disadvantaged because of their geographical location.
The council has called on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to take measures to address the issue, including increasing flight capacity during peak periods and encouraging greater competition among airlines.
It also urged authorities to strengthen monitoring of fare increases and consider targeted assistance for groups such as students, athletes and those travelling due to emergencies.
MBS said such measures could help ease the financial burden on Sabahans while ensuring air connectivity remains accessible during periods of high demand.
