AirAsia must consider national interest: Masidi

Published on Daily Express: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun urged low-cost carrier AirAsia to consider national interest and not just profit when relocating operations to Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 1.
He urged the Transport Ministry and the budget airline to settle the matter amicably. "AirAsia has some good points, but I think they also need to look into the rationale, the points raised by the Government. If the issue is cost, I'm sure the government will be more than happy to discuss.
"Being a low-cost airline, I know AirAsia wants to be efficient and want to cut cost, but we have to consider national interest than just profit," he said.
He was commenting on AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes' remark last week that the airline was reluctant to move from Terminal 2, where AirAsia is currently operating now, to the newly-expanded KKIA Terminal 1, as costs would increase and force the airline to reduce flights, causing Sabah to lose some one million tourists.
The Terminal 2 is to be converted for cargo handling.
Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the Ministry was surprised by Fernandes' remarks as AirAsia had signed an undertaking letter to shift its operations to Terminal 1.
He said the Kota Kinabalu International Airport has been upgraded at a cost of RM1.6 billion to cater for airlines' needs and growth.
Meanwhile, regarding three primary schools in Tawau that were declared unsafe for occupation, Masidi who is also Sabah education exco member said the Education Ministry officials should turun padang (visit) and see for themselves and take appropriate action.
"We cannot put the safety of our children in jeopardy. I know they (school authority) are probably doing some funding and I think when it comes to the lives of our children, that should entitle them priority in getting it fast.
"I was told the Ministry is aware and the Director has given them all the necessary input to make sure that decision is made immediately."
It was reported that over 1,000 pupils of three primary schools in Sekolah Tiga Dalam Satu are facing safety risk due to the dilapidated school buildings.
The schools are SK Bahagia, SK Jambatan Putih and SK Kukusan.
State Education Director Datuk Dr Haji Muhiddin Yusin said the issue has been highlighted to the Education Ministry for further action.
He said that they were forced to temporarily utilise the buildings although it was not safe while waiting for construction of new buildings.
Masidi said he had not visited the school but that another school in Ranau, SMK Kundasang, is also facing the same problem.