“We are not tourists”: S’wak activist urges festive airfare controls as East M’sians hit by holiday price shock

Peter John Jaban

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 27: Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban has urged the Ministry of Transport Malaysia and airlines to urgently address the recurring surge in airfares during festive seasons and long public holidays affecting East Malaysians, calling for the implementation of reasonable airfare control mechanisms and stressing, “We are not tourists.”

He made the call ahead of the upcoming extended holiday period, including Wesak Day, Kaamatan in Sabah, Gawai Dayak in Sarawak, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday holiday stretch from May 31 to June 4, during which many Sarawakians and Sabahans working and studying in Peninsular Malaysia are once again expected to face steep airfares to return home for family and cultural celebrations.

Reports circulating on social media indicate that one-way flight tickets between Kuala Lumpur and destinations in Sarawak and Sabah have surged to between RM1,000 and RM1,500, sparking widespread frustration among the public.

“For many ordinary families, students, and workers, such prices are seen as unaffordable and exclusionary,” he said in a statement today.

Peter John stressed that affordable domestic air travel should be treated as a national concern, particularly given the predictable annual surge in demand during festive periods.

“Festive seasons such as Gawai and Kaamatan carry deep cultural and social significance, not only for Indigenous communities in East Malaysia but also as part of Malaysia’s broader national identity that reflects unity, harmony, and cultural diversity.

“Every year, thousands of East Malaysians travel home to reunite with loved ones, uphold traditions, and celebrate together in the spirit of togetherness and cultural appreciation,” he said.

He noted that airlines and relevant authorities are fully aware of these cyclical travel peaks and should have proactive systems in place, including additional flight frequencies, improved fare management, and regulatory interventions to prevent excessive price hikes.

“East Malaysians already face higher living and transportation costs due to geographical separation from Peninsular Malaysia. Affordable domestic connectivity is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” he said.

Peter John expressed frustration that airfare spikes continue year after year despite predictable demand patterns, questioning the effectiveness of existing safeguards and the commitment of authorities and airlines to ensure fair access to travel.

He called on Transport Minister Anthony Loke, together with airlines including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines, to take immediate and meaningful action to resolve the issue.

He proposed several measures for consideration, including additional flight frequencies on high-demand routes between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia, subsidised fare allocations for students and low-income groups, and greater transparency in pricing during peak travel periods.

Peter John emphasised that Sarawakians and Sabahans contribute significantly to Malaysia’s national economy and development, and deserve equitable access to affordable travel, especially during culturally important celebrations.

“This issue should not continue to recur year after year without long-term solutions.

“We are not tourists. We just want to go home and to be with our families,” he said, adding that affordable festive travel is ultimately a matter of fairness, inclusion, and national unity. — DayakDaily