Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah lashed out at Dr Kelvin Yii, labelling the DAP MP a “dungu” (fool) after the latter questioned the economic feasibility of a state-owned airline.
Yii had on Tuesday warned that a bailout could have a negative impact on the state’s economy and called for more information about the project’s cost, its cost-benefit analysis, and the parties involved.
He also urged the Sarawak state government to work with existing national and private airlines to improve connectivity, especially on domestic routes, by offering incentives and subsidies.
Karim, however, defended the boutique airline initiative, saying the state had to embark on the ambitious plan even if it was unprofitable as “Sarawak is on an island”, The Dayak Daily reported.
He said Sarawakians had to put up with exorbitant airfares, especially during the festive seasons, and a boutique airline would allow the state government to determine the airfares.
“And here comes this ‘dungu’. When I read (his statement), I was upset. What is he trying to imply?” Karim was quoted as saying.
Yii, meanwhile, responded by saying that he would indeed be a “dungu” if he did not demand transparency and accountability for a risky venture that would have a huge impact on the state and its people.
He said he was supportive of initiatives that would augur well for Sarawak but had strong reservations that a boutique airline was the best way to improve connectivity and stabilise ticket prices.
“So, instead of being transparent and accountable with the cost of the whole project, and conducting economic feasibility and sustainability study and cost-effectiveness analysis, among others, they have resorted to gutter politics by ‘name-calling’ and avoiding the core issue,” Yii said in a statement.
Yii, who is the Bandar Kuching MP, said Karim’s remarks confirmed that the push to set up a boutique airline was to “stabilise” flight prices during peak seasons and the minister had admitted that it was not a profitable venture.
“We do not want to see, after a period of time, the Sarawak government to have no choice but to use a huge sum of our public funds to bailout the airline to keep it afloat as it cannot remain sustainable,” Yii said.