The Bandar Kuching MP from DAP said the prices could be set for a limited period, such as three days before and three days after polling date.

“This is necessary to ensure maximum voter turnout and to remove obstacles for eligible Sarawakians to return and vote,” he said in a statement.

Yii said that at the time of writing, a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching during the period costs an average of RM970, with the highest costing RM1,055 a day before the election.

He said he had previously urged transport minister Wee Ka Siong to negotiate with the airlines for lower ticket prices to Sarawak for the polls and during the upcoming festive season.

Yii said it was important to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the elections, adding that “any attempt against promoting voter turnout could be considered voter suppression”.

He also lamented how calls for electoral reforms to allow Sarawakians and Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia to register as absentee voters and take part in postal voting had yet to be implemented.

The Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) today announced Dec 18 as polling day in Sarawak , with nominations on Dec 6 and early voting on Dec 14.

According to the EC, there are 1,252,014 registered voters in Sarawak.