On Jan 10, just after 10pm, flight AK5218 reportedly ‘skidded and veered off the runway' at Kuching International Airport. Thankfully, all the passengers were evacuated safely. Only four passengers were injured and were taken to hospital. Although this was a minor incident, it nonetheless carries serious implications.

Specifically, this is not the first time planes have ‘skidded and veered off the runway' in Kuching. This has happened many times now, involving both civilian and military aircraft.

Why is Kuching airport so prone to such bad landing incidents? Will the Transport Minister please clarify?

That such incidents continue to happen only suggests that we have not learnt our lessons. Do people have to die first before safety measures get improved?

In immediate circumstances like this, I would think the parties involved, i.e. AirAsia AND Malaysia Airports Bhd (MAB), have a social responsibility to provide fullest support to all passengers and their loved ones to ensure that they overcome this tragic experience as soon as possible.

Let's not just leave it to the travel insurance companies. Is this being done? And if so, what measures are AirAsia and MAB implementing to this end? Can we tax-payers and travellers please be informed?

As well, both AirAsia and MAB have an immediate social responsibility to provide as much information about this incident as possible to the public. Is this being done? And if so, what measures are Air Asia and MAB implementing to this end?

Can we tax-payers and travellers please be informed?

Furthermore, given the current unsatisfactory state of affairs, it is evident that both AirAsia and MAB have to do more to ensure that air passenger safety is not compromised at all times. Such incidents should not recur at all in the future. And the way forward is for all parties to enhance their safety standards.

Kuching airport recently underwent a runway extension. The airport and runway gleam. It is our pride and joy. However, many frequent flyers know that whenever heavy rains hit Kuching airport, flights are temporarily suspended owning to poor drainage of rainwater on the runway.

What is MAB doing to fix this problem to ensure that all airport runways - beginning with Kuching airport - are free of excess water irrespective of rainfall levels?

As well, what other additional safety measures are going to be introduced to enhance flight and passenger safety? We tax-payers and travellers want to know.

As for AirAsia, the airline's safety record has taken another hit. Hence, what safety measures does AirAsia propose to introduce in the long-term to ensure that passenger safety is not compromised at all times? We tax-payers and travellers want to know.

After all, it's not only encouraging for passengers to know that ‘everyone can fly.' It's equally important for us to be convinced that everyone can land safely as well. And both AirAsia and MAB have a role to play here.

As for the Minister of Transport, let's hope he will put pressure on all parties to ensure that the interests of all living in Sabah and Sarawak (since there are no other methods of travel to and from these states) are not held to ransom by inadequate safety measures.