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The Star

Cap on flight ticket prices for Sabah voters mooted

Chan (seventh left) launching the Gawai and Kaamatan celebration with Nelson (fourth left), Yeo (sixth left) Wong (eighth left) at Pasar Budaya Borneo in Seri Kembangan. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin is proposing to cap flight ticket prices for Sabah voters flying home for the upcoming state election. Chan said he would propose to Transport Minister Anthony Loke for the price to be capped at RM599. 'This will ease the financial burden of Sabah folks working in the Klang Valley, who want to return home and fulfil their duty to vote,' he said. Chan, who is Kota Kinabalu MP, said the Madani government's commitment to Sabah and Sarawak was reflected in its policies. 'Special grants to Sabah and Sarawak have increased to RM600mil. 'Full regulatory authority over power supply and renewable energy has been returned to both state governments, while the Bintulu Port has been handed back to Sarawak,' he said, speaking after launching the Gawai and Kaamatan celebration at the Borneo Cultural Market in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Chan added he would allocate RM10,000 for the 10th Gawai and Kaamatan celebration at Pasar Budaya Borneo next year. This year's celebration saw cultural performances, a variety of food from Sabah and Sarawak, activities such as batik painting, folk games, karaoke competition and a lucky draw. Organised by Pasar Budaya Borneo Seri Kembangan Asso­ciation in collaboration with National Unity Ministry, the event received strong support from the local community. Wilma Osingku, from Kudat in Sabah, has been a vendor at the market since 2017. The 39-year-old Iban said she was proud to see the cultures of Borneo featured in peninsular Malaysia. 'We get to taste the food from home, which is different from the food here,' she said. Meanwhile, Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin announced a contribution of RM30,000. 'Part of the allocation will go towards installing a prominent signboard for Borneo Cultural Market. 'Three main focus areas for the market development are impro­ving basic facilities, ensuring continuous cultural activities and creating an interactive visitor experience. 'We will work closely with local authorities to address basic facility issues such as toilets and access to clean water for the comfort of visitors and traders,' she said. Yeo expressed her hope for the event to be held annually as a part of the Puchong parliamentary events calendar, as Borneo Cultural Market has great potential to become a cultural destination of international standing. 'Pasar Budaya Borneo should serve as a space that brings people together, a place that feels like home away from home for Sabahans and Sarawakians living in peninsular Malaysia. 'We fully support the community's efforts to establish it as a proud cultural landmark just like Sigar in Penampang or the cat statue in Kuching.' Also present were Seri Kem­ban­gan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki, Seri Serdang assemblyman Abbas Salimmi Che Adzmi@Azmi, Borneo Cultural Market chairman Nelson Entap, programme director Nilisip Juin and representatives from Rumah Sarawak and Rumah Sabah.