KOTA BHARU: The Federal Government will upgrade the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport into an international airport, the assembly was told yesterday. Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (BN-Air Lanas), who is the International Trade and Industry Minister, said he and the other 11 Barisan assemblymen would support the move by the PAS-led Kelantan government to upgrade the busy airport located in Pengkalan Chepa.
“We will support the state's aspirations to turn the airport into an international class facility to ensure that it will bring economic benefit to the people,” Mustapa said. He had intervened as Wan Ubaidah Omar (PAS-Kijang) asked when the airport would be upgraded into an international airport.
State Infrastructure, Utility and Information Technology Committee chairman Hanifa Ahmad (PAS-Pengkalan Pasir) later said that the state government had made a formal application to the Federal Government to extend the runway by 1,000m to 3,400m.
“The application has been approved and when completed, it will be possible to send Haj pilgrims from here on a direct flight to Mecca,” he said when winding-up the debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address by Sultan Muhammad V.
Mustapa. who is also the Jeli MP, also chided the Kelantan government for not being grateful for the Federal Government's past efforts in improving the airport. He gave the example of providing better lighting.
State Agriculture, Green Technology and Biotechnology Committee chairman Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (PAS-Wakaf Bharu) said that the issue surrounding diminishing fish would be investigated.
He said that the government had no information on the matter but told the assembly that the government would monitor the situation and go after those who flouted the environmental rules.
Later, former mentri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was given a round of applause after a motion was put forward by a member to honour him for helming the state government for 23 years. Nik Abdul Aziz, who is also the PAS spiritual adviser and Chempaka assemblyman, had taken up the post in 1990.
SOURCE: The Star Online | 19 June 2013 |
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