SEREMBAN: Congestion at airports will soon be a thing of the past.
A special committee has been set up to look into and solve the issue and various other related problems.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the committee, comprising government agencies and ministries, would be tasked to ensure a smoother operation at various entry points, especially so with Visit Malaysia 2020 (VMY2020) around the corner, when some 30 million tourists were expected to arrive.
“The ministry only regulates aviation operators. There are various agencies that are closely linked to day-to-day operations of the airports such as the Customs Department and Immigration Department.
"The coordination between the agencies and ministries is very important. We expect more tourists to come to our country in conjunction with VMY2020. The most important 'gateway' and one that needs careful preparation of course is the airport.
"I hope this committee can help resolve this (congestion) issue as soon as possible," he told reporters after launching the Career and Transportation Education Carnival 2019 here today.
"We are also upgrading various types of public transport, e-hailing services as well as taxis to provide better facilities for local and foreign tourists."
Yesterday, AirAsia Group Berhad chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was reported to have expressed his disappointment over the congestion issue at the klia2 immigration counter.
He claimed that this occurs everyday and not a remote case as maintained by Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB).
According to him, Air Asia had sent a letter to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) to request help in resolving the congestion issue, but was not satisfied with the response.
Meanwhile, Loke said the government would also extend incentives and subsidies to the rural transport sector as stated in 2020 Budget.
“For example, the government has allocated almost RM200 million annually to provide rural air transport services in Sabah and Sarawak.
“In addition, the government has also allocated almost RM50 million a year to provide train services to the East Coast.
“Although, it is not economical and does not provide returns to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), the government is still subsidising it because there is a need for it. On top of that, we will also provide and improve bus services to connect rural areas," he added.