6 theSun | THURSDAY APRIL 16 2009

news without borders

MAS flies ‘from crisis to opportunity’

by Tan Yi Liang a domestic or Asean regional flight,

KAMARIDUAN MOHD NOR/THESUN

newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines
launched a “stimulus package” of
nine deals for passengers yesterday,
covering the economy, business and
first classes, to turn the economic
crisis into an opportunity.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk
Seri Idris Jala, said: “Never waste a
good crisis. While we cannot control
the operating environment, we can
control the way we run our business.
These deals have been tailored to
meet what the customers want and
stimulate travel demand.”
The nine deals are:
» Premium Match, where MAS
will match the price of one’s
previous first or business class travel
on another airline for flights above
three hours;
» Business Companion, which
offers a 50% discount for a
companion’s business class travel
when the first is bought at full price;
» Economy +, where passengers
can pay economy class fares but
enjoy business class travel privileges,
including the use of lounges and
accrual of Enrich Miles;
» Balik Kampung, where all week-
end travel within Peninsular Malay-
sia and East Malaysia comes with a
RM69 all-inclusive fare, and a RM99
all-inclusive fare for travel between
East and West Malaysia;
» Weekend Getaway, which offers
special economy class fares for long
weekend travel within the Asean
region;
» Kids Fly Free, where for every two
economy class tickets purchased for
domestic or Asean regional flights, a
child below 12 years old travels free.
» MHFlex 1+1, where for every one
economy class ticket purchased for
a companion gets a free ticket on
flights operated by MAS,
» 80% off domestic and Asean flights
booked online, and
» Grab-A-Deal, where special fares
for selected destinations will be
available online from time to time,
for all domestic, regional and Asean
flights.
“This is the best time for the pub-
lic to travel as such incredible offers
are given only during a downturn.
Customers truly benefit during this
time as we are looking for innova-
tive ways to boost load factors and
revenue,” said Idris.
The Grab-A-Deal and Balik Kam-
pung packages which have been
running since March are a hit. In just
over a month, sales for both packages
have exceeded RM17.5 million.
Idris said seats for the Balik Kam-
pung package “are sold out for the
next two months”.
MAS senior general manager of
network and revenue management
Amin Khan said most of the pack-
ages launched would be available to
the public until Dec 31.
Idris said depending on customer
feedback, more such deals will be Idris (centre,
churned out. back row)
“We are checking fares of other and MAS
airlines on a daily basis to make
sure our fares are as competitive as
officers and
staff at the
‘The hardest decision of my life’
possible,” he said, adding that sales THE following is the full statement issued slander and to violate one’s privacy to score
launch of the by Bukit Lanjan assemblyman and Selangor political points.
for airlines globally had taken a hit
especially in long-haul sectors. nine new executive councillor Elizabeth Wong: This is the hardest decision that I have
He said passengers are now book- deals for to make in my life and it is with the greatest
ing at the last minute as they are customers. THESE past two months have been more humility that I accept the Selangor state’s offer
looking for the best deals in town. than an ordeal, one which I would never to remain in office.
Asked about the suspension of a have wished for any citizen to have to I wish to thank the mentri besar and the
Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul suffer through. Selangor exco, my staff, my fellow ADUNs,
(MRO) agreement between Qantas I have been stripped bare publicly – both fellow politicians from Pakatan Rakyat and
and MAS, he said the MoU had not figuratively and literally – by force and against Barisan Nasional, PKR leaders, the women’s
been renewed because Qantas had my will. My personal life has been violated and wing of PKR and the grassroots, and my legal
its own problems to sort out now. assaulted by none other than criminals. Even team for their support and guidance.
up to this evening, I continue to receive threats Respectfully, I wish to thank HRH the Sultan
from unknown persons. of Selangor for his guidance.
This is not a scandal, as some have sug- I am humbled by the encouragement and
gested, but a clear criminal act. This is no less a support shown by the media, my family and
form of criminal intimidation, a form of political friends, the NGOs, the tens of thousands of peo-
violence, and one which, if I chose to retreat ple who signed the petitions on my behalf and
into silence, would in turn indirectly affect who wrote to me, and especially my constitu-
women, especially women politicians. ents who stood by me in these trying times.
Gutter politics is not and should not be I also wish to thank the police for their pro-
part of our political culture, and for those who fessionalism in addressing the issue at hand
depend on exploiting and supporting such a and I look forward to them apprehending and
crime, is an indication of the kind of politicians charging the criminals soonest.
and persons they are. My only wish is to serve my constituents
I stand for a person’s right to privacy. I stand and the state to the best of my abilities and
for “new politics” – a politics that encourages with the help and cooperation of the people,
intellectual discourse, reasoned polemics and to make this state, this country a better place
ideological debates, not one which resorts to for all. The struggle continues, and our work
gutter-level politicking which seek to smear, to has just begun.”

A good and wise decision, says Bukit Lanjan group

» From Front Page
necessary action.
However, he said the state
was equally concerned with
protecting the rights to privacy
and will do its utmost to protect
that right.
Wong, 37, was dragged
through the gutter following
the circulation of her private
photographs.
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat
(PKR) politician had offered to
quit her exco post and as the
Bukit Lanjan state representa-
tive but was instead asked to go
on leave.
Police have obtained a war-
rant of arrest for Wong’s former
boyfriend, Hilmi Malek, who is
wanted for questioning relating
to the leaked photos.
Civil Society Initiative for
Parliamentary Reform founding
member Wong Chin Huat said
it was a commendable act
by Pakatan Rakyat and PKR
to stand by the principle that
acknowledged that politicians
or public figures were entitled
to their private life.
Coalition of Bukit Lanjan
spokesman Bobby Gan said: “It
was a good and wise decision
(by Wong to stay on) and we
welcome the decision. We hope
she can continue to perform well
and for those who distributed
the photos to stop now and we
wish to see cleaner politics.”
Meanwhile, Selangor opposi-
tion leader and former mentri
besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir
Toyo, when contacted, said
the Selangor PR government’s
decision to reject her resigna-
tion would give Barisan Nasional
the advantage in the next elec-
tions.
He said the decision showed
PR practised double standards
when it accepted the resigna-
tion of former Kedah executive
councillor V.Arumugam in Bukit
Selambau and then convincing
Wong to stay despite her offer
to resign.
“I also think PR is afraid they
would lose if a by-election is
held in Selangor because the
people are not happy with the
way the state and local
authorities are being run and
the unfulfilled promises made,”
he said.

Chong adviser and special officer to home minister

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Michael Chong, head of the
MCA Public Service and Complaints Department,
has been appointed adviser and special officer to
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
with immediate effect.
Hishammuddin said Chong’s extensive experi-
ence in understanding the people’s problems and
issues at the grassroots reflected his commitment
as an individual who served in the best interests
of society.
“I am confident that his sincerity and integrity
in social service can help me discharge my re-
sponsibilities as the new home minister,” he said
in a statement. – Bernama