KUALA LUMPUR: The frequency of MASwings flights for all routes involving Limbang in Sarawak is expected to return to normal from Wednesday.

       Currently, there are fewer flights to and from Limbang due to the Malaysia-Brunei border closure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Deputy Rural Development Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the frequency of the flights would be as agreed under the Public Service Obligation Agreement for Rural Air Services, and would be reviewed by the government from time to time to meet the needs of the local community.

       “Due to the Covid-19 threat, the flight frequency is slightly affected because of the border closure by the neighbouring country.

       “The number of flights is fewer. For example, the Miri-Limbang sector has only 14 flights, down from 21 previously.

       “From Dec 1, the frequency will be back to normal.

       “This means that in a week, the Miri-Limbang route will be back to 21 flights, Kuching-Limbang (three), Limbang-Lawas (two) and Kota Kinabalu-Limbang (three).

       “Our hope is for things to return to normal and the border to be opened, with certain conditions or standard operating procedure to be imposed by Malaysia and Brunei,” he told Bernama recently.

       On the sharp increase in the price of domestic flights, Hasbi said he hoped the price would be reduced when the frequency of flights returned to normal.

       In another development, Hasbi who is also Limbangan MP, said Limbang had been allocated RM39.77mil this year for the implementation of 12 projects and 131 sub-projects.

       The projects included the construction of 20 units of houses for the hardcore poor (PPRT) and repair of 76 PPRT houses, as well as rural road projects worth RM11.3mil.