KUALA LUMPUR: The acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd (MASwings) by the Sarawak government is expected to be finalised by year-end, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that negotiations were still ongoing between both parties, MASwings and the Sarawak government.

"There are several meetings that will be concluded in the coming weeks and they are trying to complete the process before the end of this year," he said in response to Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok).

Nazri had inquired about the progress of the negotiations regarding the takeover of MASwings by the Sarawak government.

Loke added: "I am confident that when the Sarawak government takes over, it will not affect rural services because we have an agreement with the Sarawak government.

"As soon as they take over, subsidies for rural services will continue, so there will be no issue for the rural population," he said.

On Oct 12, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the acquisition was expected to be finalised soon, with the acquisition currently in the advanced negotiation stage.

On Nov 23 last year, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said that the Sarawak state government was conducting due diligence on MASwings in preparation for the acquisition.

Meanwhile, Loke said the number of flights from the Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak will return to normal next month.

He said the reduction in the number of flights was made to allow airlines to resolve maintenance issues before they were permitted to increase their domestic flight services.

"Flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sabah and Sarawak will be restored to their previous capacity," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Ahmad Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna).

Shafie had asked whether the ministry plans to allow larger aircraft to be used for flights from the capital to Kota Kinabalu.

In response, Loke said the ministry had no issues with the choice of aircraft used by airlines in the country.

"Whether it's a specific type of aircraft, it is up to the airline, the ministry has no issues with the choice of aircraft used by the airlines. MAS, for example, uses large aircraft for international flights," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1129878/acquisition-maswings-be-finalised-soon