"This is because the Sabah Government is answerable to Sabahans and to the Sabah travel industry whereas Tony Fernandes is answerable only to his shareholders and his pockets," he added.
Yong who is also ex-chief minister of Sabah said, "while people are thankful for the contribution of Air Asia to Sabah’s travel industry, we must realise that Air Asia fares “plus this and that” is no longer cheap. And cheap air fares is not the only reason that tourists come to Sabah because Air Asia offers also low airfares to other destinations, some of which are competitors of Sabah.
"Travellers from China and afar who come to Sabah for reasons of low costs is not only because of the low air fares but also because of the lower prices of hotels, food, transport, entertainment and entrance charges to resorts compared to other countries. Therefore, Air Asia is only one of the several important reasons.
"To avoid Sabah being held to ransom by any single airline, like Air Asia, Sabah must adopt a more open sky policy so that more airlines from more countries can service the Sabah travel industry, including a closer link up with Brunei, which itself is a regional hub closest to Sabah.
"On a longer term, the government should consider favourably the Air Asia proposal to build their own Low Cost Terminal 2. Imagine when or if the “long haul Air Asia X” flights land with even bigger passenger loads, the congestion would be unbearable. This would deter “repeat visitors” who spread the poor image of the airport terminal. This is a longer term issue. A direct internal link between T1 and T2 via, for example mono-rail, is an absolute necessity to passengers with connecting flights. At the moment, passengers connecting to or from Air Asia and other airlines have to spend RM30 extra on taxi fares shutting between the 2 terminals.
"But on a more immediate term, a relocation to Terminal 1 is more appropriate because Terminal 2 as an international terminal is “unwelcoming” to visitors. Everything from toilets to food and beverages, passengers comfort and traffic to Immigration Hall are far from doing justice to passengers and to Sabah’s image.
"For instance, at times, in bound passengers have to queue from the Immigration Hall out onto the tarmac under rain, sun or the darkness of the night. Passengers are made to walk along the tarmac uneven “kaki lima”, pass the luggage handling area and taking care to avoid the pillars before entering an overcrowded immigration hall. This is the first impression given to visitors.
"Undoubtedly, Terminal 2 cannot compare with the facilities, space and relative comfort at Terminal 1, which is a more welcoming ambience for visitors.
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