SEPANG: The government has agreed to continue two subsidy initiatives for domestic flight ticket purchases in an effort to alleviate the rising cost of living, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the initiatives include the continuation of the subsidy for flight ticket purchases for students of higher education institutions on domestic routes (FLYsiswa); and the price cap policy for flights during festive seasons.
"The cabinet decided in its meeting earlier to continue the FLYsiswa programme, which provides flight assistance to eligible students from Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia."
Loke said they will continue to receive a RM300 subsidy, and this will be established as an annual initiative.
"So, every year we will offer this assistance at the federal government level, with the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak also helping their students. This will help reduce the burden, especially for students," he told reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2.
Loke added that the cabinet has also agreed to maintain the current price cap policy for flight tickets during festive seasons.
He said that three days before the festive season, the government will set the cap for all flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.
"We will set the price cap as previously implemented, at RM599. Any amount exceeding this will be subsidised by the government to the airlines.
"This is one of the measures we are taking to ensure that the people of Sabah and Sarawak are supported and their burden is lessened," he said.