{
  "id": 4195405,
  "title": "Sabah PAS man sets out ways to cope with surging airfares",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/sabah-pas-man-sets-out-ways-to-cope-with-surging-airfares-4195405",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T12:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/29/sabah-pas-man-sets-out-ways-to-cope-with-surging-airfares"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Sabah PAS leader has suggested several measures for the federal government to address the rise in airfares to East Malaysia, with a focus on the needs of lower-income Sabahans. Air travel has become crucial for those residing in Peninsular Malaysia, often for work, education, or emergencies. Mustaman Mustain, the PAS information chief, proposed an emergency fare scheme for family emergencies and extended festive season subsidies to other peak periods, such as school holidays and semester breaks. He also suggested reserving flight capacity at reasonable fares during periods of high demand, something currently missing in the government's approach. The government has maintained a RM599 ceiling for festive season flights, but airlines should reserve part of their capacity on Sabah-Peninsular Malaysia routes during high-demand periods. Mustaman emphasized that the issue goes beyond just prices, as flight capacity also plays a significant role. The government should also establish a system to detect early signs of unusual price increases, enabling prompt action. Malaysian Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud confirmed that his ministry will discuss the issue with the transport ministry to find solutions. He acknowledged that airlines' operating costs have surged due to the global energy crisis.",
  "summary": "Among the proposals are special fares for family emergencies, advance purchases on critical routes, and extending festive season flight subsidies to include school holidays.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Borneo Post Online",
        "title": "PAS Sabah urges immediate action over rising airfares for Sabah, Sarawak routes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/pas-sabah-urges-immediate-action-over-rising-airfares-for-sabah",
        "published": "2026-08-29T06:45:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sabah PAS man sets out ways to cope with surging airfares",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/sabah-pas-man-sets-out-ways-to-cope-with-surging-airfares",
        "published": "2026-08-29T12:38:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}