Wednesday, December 30, 2009

25-11-2008: Kelantan protests decision on airport

Tuesday November 25, 2008
Kelantan protests decision on airport

THE PAS-led Kelantan Government is crying foul over the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Sultan Mahmud Airport in Terengganu instead of the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa where the passenger capacity is higher.

The decision does not make any economic sense, said state Infrastructure Committee chairman Mej (R) Anizam Ab Rahman in an interview. “On an average, there are seven daily domestic commercial flights into the state, operated by Malaysia Airlines (MAS), its subsidiary Firefly and budget carrier Air Asia.

Mej (B) Anizam said the state allocated land for the project over 10 years ago and the issue continued to drag on despite the Federal Government approving funds for the project in principle.

Kelantan has recommended that the runway be expanded to accommodate the Boeing 747-series aircraft. This would boost the airport so it could become a hub for the region and eventually be used to fly to Thailand or Cambodia, Mej (B) Anizam said.

Mej (B) Anizam said that last month, the Sultan of Kelantan Tuanku Ismail Petra Yahya Petra made a plea for the expansion when His Royal Highness addressed the budget sitting of the state legislative assembly.

SOURCE (Sumber): The Star: 25-11-2008

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