As Malaysians begin to make plans around the recently announced 14th General Election, to be held Wednesday May 9, finding ample time off work is not the only concern of citizens: There’s also getting back home to where they are registered to vote.
While many citizens work in urban centers like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, they are registered to vote in their hometowns, and must return if they want to cast their ballot.
Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Malindo Air, and Air Asia have taken the initiative and announced that re-booking fees for traveling Malaysians will be waived to accommodate voting.
Now, Air Asia has taken another step to ease the travel burden: They have lowered fares to and from East Malaysia on the 8th and 9th May.
Those traveling to Sarawak will only have to pay RM120 (US$30), while those traveling to Sabah will have to pay RM199 (US$50) to fly. Fares to peninsular Malaysia have been lowered to RM99 (US$25).
The cheaper fares will be available for purchase starting Monday, according to AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes.
Flying from west Malaysia to Borneo can be expensive. One social media user showed that the price of flying from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan, in Sabah, clocked in at 650 round-trip, and that was before taxes were factored in.
Needless to say, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many thanking the airline, and the CEO, even going as far as suggesting that he might make a good Prime Minister.
There you have it, folks – no excuses! Cheaper tickets go on sale Monday, so get ready, and get voting.
