THE Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) has announced the imposition of passenger service charge (PSC) for international flights from KLIA Terminal 1 and 2 to ASEAN countries effective June 1.
This announcement is a slap in the face of the rakyat who already have to endure additional new taxes – one after another.
Transport Minister Anthony Look Siew Fook needs to intervene and immediately halt all measures that have caused the expenses of domestic and international travellers to ascend.
As countries across the globe strive to develop their tourism industry and attract more tourists to increase the proportion of tourism receipts in national income, Malaysia performs the opposite by raising the cost for passengers and people who need to use aviation services.
Not only does this move discourage air travellers, it also compounds the load on people. To Loke, was this move that causes the PSC and terminal transfer fees to soar higher approved by you?
If yes, this reveals that the Transport Minister is ignorant over the hardships which the rakyat are landed with.
In the current situation where the prices of goods and essentials and daily living costs have escalated, not only have the Transport Ministry and MAVCOM failed to show consideration for the public but they have also further amplified the burdens which the rakyat have to shoulder.
Given the current economic slowdown where the difficulties in people’s lives have grown progressively, the government ought to strive to lessen the rakyat’s yoke rather than finding any and every possible channel to dig funds from the public. Such methods are downright disappointing.
In a media statement on March 12, MAVCOM has informed that international departures from KLIA will now be subject to a PSC of RM73 while those from klia2 will incur a charge of RM50.
Domestic passengers will be charged RM7 for transferring through any Malaysian airport while international passengers will be charged RM42 for transferring through KLIA Terminal 1 and RM29 through Terminal 2 or other airports.
To cite an example: As there are no direct flights connecting East Malaysia and Penang, residents from Sabah and Sarawak who intend to fly to Penang must transit through Kuala Lumpur.
These passengers would be required to pay an additional domestic flight transfer fee of RM7. For East Malaysians who travel frequently between these two destinations, the additional transfer fee becomes an unnecessary added burden and is thus unjust to them. – March 14, 2024
Datuk Tan Teik Cheng is MCA’s vice-president.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
