Latest news with #MASwings
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
MP renews call for free annual flight for teachers in Sarawak
Chiew (second right) performs the officiating gimmick for the annual general meeting, witnessed by Kullin (fourth left), Yong (right) and others. SIBU (June 21): The Sarawak government should consider a proposal put forward last year for teachers serving in the state to be granted one free flight ticket annually, as a token of appreciation for their services. In stating this, Lanang MP Alice Lau said the proposal by Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) Sibu chairman Yong Sie Hing remains highly relevant considering the challenges and sacrifices faced by educators, especially those stationed far from their hometowns. 'This is even timelier with the Sarawak government's plan to establish its own airline following the takeover of MASwings, which is expected to be finalised by the end of this year. 'I hope this proposal can be realised in the interest of teachers' welfare,' she said in a speech delivered by her special assistant Stanley Chiew. Chiew was representing Lau at STU Sibu's 22nd annual general meeting held at Laila Taib College here today. In her speech, the MP also said she supported STU's call for more teachers in the state to join the union to enjoy the benefits of the Madani Workers Card, which offers up to 30 per cent discounts on goods and services from over 100 companies nationwide. 'I believe that only through a strong union can teachers' voices be heard and their welfare safeguarded,' she added. Meanwhile, STU president Kullin Djayang reminded all members not to openly express dissatisfaction with government policies on social media or other platforms, but instead channel any grouses through the union. He also informed that STU will conduct a survey among its members to identify teachers who are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies at the Master's and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels, following support received from the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development. 'This initiative is a preliminary step towards the potential provision of free higher education for educators by 2026. 'The minister (Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn) has agreed with the proposal and has requested STU to conduct a survey to determine the actual number of teachers who are interested. 'If we apply to study at state-owned universities, there is a strong possibility that the studies could be made free of charge,' he said. Alice Lau free flights teachers
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak takeover of MASwings set to realise tourism potential, says Abdul Karim
KUCHING: Sarawak's acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd to become state-owned carrier AirBorneo will significantly boost tourism through better connectivity, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said AirBorneo reflected Sarawak's ambition to improve connectivity and strengthen its ambition to be a leading destination for regional and international travellers. "For too long, air connectivity has been a limiting factor in fully realising Sarawak's tourism potential," he said in an email interview. "With AirBorneo, we are changing that narrative. By transitioning from MASwings into a state-owned, full-service carrier, we are addressing long-standing connectivity gaps, particularly in underserved rural areas. "This allows us to open up the hidden gems of Sarawak, from the heart of the Bornean rainforest to the coastal charm of our lesser-known towns, offering visitors authentic experiences that go far beyond urban centres." It was previously reported that the acquisition of MASwings was expected to be completed by Dec 31 when its ownership will be fully transferred to AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the state government The state government signed a sale and purchase agreement with MASwings' parent company Malaysia Aviation Group on Feb 12. Abdul Karim said AirBorneo will initially focus on rural air services within Sarawak and Sabah, with a long-term vision of regional and global connectivity. He said this vision will be achieved through code-sharing agreements with Malaysia Airlines and other major international carriers, connecting Sarawak to Asean and Middle East hubs and eventually to long-haul markets like Germany, South Korea, Japan and beyond. "This connectivity will not only support tourism but drive investment, trade and talent exchange," he said. Abdul Karim also said Sarawak was actively exploring new international routes and greater flight frequencies. "At Routes Asia 2025 in Perth, for example, our delegation engaged with global aviation stakeholders to promote Sarawak's tourism offerings and build new air service opportunities," he said. He added that these efforts were complemented by Sarawak's plans to build a new international airport in Kuching, which would position the state capital as a regional aviation hub. "In short, AirBorneo is a cornerstone of our integrated tourism strategy. It brings together infrastructure, service excellence, rural empowerment and international expansion," he said.
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
AirBorneo set to take flight by end-2025 following MASwings acquisition
Lee speaking during a press conference held in the State Legislative Assembly building today. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 26): Sarawak's very own airline, AirBorneo, is on track to officially take to the skies by the end of 2025, following the full acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. According to him, the Share Purchase Agreement between the Sarawak Government and MAG was signed on Feb 12 this year, with the legal and beneficial ownership of MASwings expected to be transferred to AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd by Dec 31, 2025. 'All stakeholders are actively working to fulfil the necessary regulatory, operational and legal requirements during this transition period to ensure a seamless handover. 'AirBorneo will also focus on enhancing regional and international air connectivity, while continuing to serve rural areas under the Rural Air Services (RAS),' he added in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. A key initiative during the rebranding process is the AirBorneo Logo and Livery Design Competition, which launched on March 5 and attracted nearly 1,000 entries. He said the winning design will reflect Sarawak's rich cultural heritage and forward-looking vision. 'AirBorneo is poised to strike a balance between improved connectivity, affordable fares, and economic benefits. This positions Sarawak as a key player in the regional aviation industry,' he said. Apart from that, he said to ensure service continuity, all MASwings staff will be retained post-acquisition, leveraging their experience to maintain reliability. He also assured that the schedule, frequency and routes under the RAS network will remain unchanged during and after the transition. As of the first quarter of 2025, MASwings recorded 191,837 passengers and 26.6 tonnes of cargo across its RAS routes, with 8,670 aircraft movements, underscoring the importance of rural connectivity in Sarawak. Meanwhile in his speech, Lee also highlighted a strong rebound in Sarawak's air traffic, with 30,980 aircraft movements and 2.5 million passengers recorded in the first quarter of 2025, which is an eight per cent increase compared to the same period last year. 'Air cargo movements also surged by 23.3 per cent to 14,438 tonnes, driven by rising demand for electronics, oil and gas equipment, e-commerce goods, perishables and general cargo. 'Internationally, Sarawak currently sees 37 international flights per week, while domestic routes from other Malaysian states contribute an average of 427 weekly flights. Kuching International Airport remains the busiest hub with 216 weekly flights, followed by Miri (99), Sibu (55), and Bintulu (45),' he said. In a related development, Lee announced that Batik Air will launch a new Subang–Kuching route starting July 28, 2025. On intra-state connectivity, Sarawak recorded an average of 620 domestic flights weekly in the first quarter, linking urban centres with rural settlements. 'Miri leads with 181 flights per week, followed by Kuching (142), Sibu (66), and Bintulu (40). These routes are served by AirAsia, Firefly, and MASwings,' he said. Lee also said that with AirBorneo and robust air connectivity growth, Sarawak is laying a strong foundation for inclusive, sustainable development and a thriving aerospace industry. AirBorneo DUN sitting lead Lee Kim Shin MASWings Sdn Bhd
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MASwings takeover: All staff to be retained
KUCHING: Sarawak's Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin today gave his assurance that the entire MASwings workforce would be retained to ensure operational continuity following the handover to AirBorneo Holdings Berhad. He said that the employees' experience and expertise were essential in maintaining service quality and reliability during the transition. "The full handover of MASwings Sdn Bhd is expected to be completed by Dec 31, 2025, upon the transfer of legal and beneficial ownership to AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd," he said during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly. The Sarawak government and Malaysia Aviation Group, MASwings' parent company, signed a share purchase agreement on Feb 12, 2025, enabling Sarawak to take ownership of the regional airline. Lee said that AirBorneo, which is currently operating under the MASwings brand, would continue to use the existing Air Service Licence (ASL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) throughout the interim period. Following rebranding, AirBorneo will take on a transformative role in strengthening Sarawak's regional and international air connectivity. "AirBorneo will continue to prioritise Rural Air Services while progressively expanding to regional destinations," he said, adding that the airline aims to strike a balance between connectivity, affordability, and economic benefit. Lee said that by enhancing air connectivity and investing in airline capabilities, the Sarawak government was laying the groundwork for inclusive and sustainable development across various sectors, positioning the state as a key player in the regional aviation industry. In the first quarter of this year, MASwings recorded 191,837 passengers and transported 26.6 tonnes of cargo across its Rural Air Services (RAS) network, with 8,670 aircraft movements — a clear indication of the vital role RAS plays in linking rural and remote communities. Lee added that his ministry, in collaboration with the Federal Transport Ministry, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), and MASwings, was committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition of RAS operations to AirBorneo. He assured that the schedule, frequency, and network of RAS flights would remain unchanged throughout and beyond the transition period.
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak's acquisition of MASwings on track, says deputy minister
The sale and purchase agreement between AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group was signed on Feb 12, with the takeover of MASwings expected to be completed by the end of the year. (Bernama pic) KUCHING : Sarawak is on track to acquiring MASwings Sdn Bhd by Dec 31 this year, marking a significant milestone in the state's efforts to strengthen regional air connectivity through its airline, AirBorneo. Sarawak deputy transport minister Jerip Susil said AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) had signed the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) last February and were currently working to fulfil the agreed conditions precedent. 'This includes securing regulatory approval from key aviation authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the Malaysian Aviation Commission, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the International Air Transport Association. 'The process also involves the transfer of operating assets from MAG to AirBorneo and preparations for a seamless transition of operations,' he said during the question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting today. The SPA was signed on Feb 12, with the transfer of MASwings expected to be completed by the end of the year. Jerip was responding to a question from Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) on whether the acquisition process of buying over MASwings had been completed and if the change in ownership would disrupt the operation of the Rural Air Services (RAS). The deputy minister said that despite the change in ownership, the RAS network for remote and underserved areas in Sarawak and Sabah was expected to maintain its current schedule, frequency, and coverage. 'MASwings's entire workforce will be retained, and their experience will be instrumental in maintaining operational stability and service continuity during and after the transition,' he said. Jerip added that the interim RAS agreement between the federal government and MASwings Sdn Bhd, signed on Dec 19, 2024, would remain in force until its expiry on Dec 31. Sarawak transport minister Lee Kim Shin said the state, together with AirBorneo, was engaging with the federal transport ministry, agencies, and other key stakeholders to work out the terms and conditions of a new RAS agreement. He said this was to ensure continued and uninterrupted air connectivity to rural and remote communities in Sarawak and Sabah. 'This agreement includes that the federal government continues to subsidise RAS because there will be new terms and conditions with AirBorneo,' he said when met by reporters on the sidelines of the sitting.
