Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan airports to complement economic growth in Sabah

MCA president and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai delivers his speech during the Sabah MCA convention at Sekolah Menengah Kian Kok, Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu International airport (KKIA) recorded 5.34 million passengers for first eight months of this year, an increase of 13.4 percent from corresponding period last year, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

"Tourist arrivals are expected to be further boosted when the Sandakan airport completes its runway extension.

"The Sandakan Airport will also complement the economic growth in the state when its current 2.1 kilometres runway is extended by 500 metres," said Liow, who is also MCA party president, after opening the state party convention.

In May, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak had announced an RM80 million upgrading of the Sandakan Airport to allow bigger aircraft to land at the district.

Liow added besides the airports, other measures that will spur the economic growth of the state are the redevelopment of the Sepanggar port with an investment of RM1billion.

He said the container movement at the Sepanggar port is at 17 per hour and the handling rate should be increased to 26 to be at par with Port Klang.

"The efficiency has to be increased to lower the costs of handling.

"At the same time, people of Sabah have to increase production (for cargos)," he said, adding transportation cost is one of the reasons that affects prices of goods.

Present at the convention was Sabah MCA chairman Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Wee said the party was ready and working hard to prepare for the upcoming general election especially for the Kepayan and Luyang state seats.

The Kepayan state seat was won by DAP’s Edwin Bosi, while Luyang was won by Dr Hiew King Cheu.

Dr Hiew joined MCA in 2014, 10 months after he quit DAP. Edwin, who is independent now, also quit party two months ago.

Meanwhile, Wee said it was an endorsement when Liow once mentioned MCA Penampang chief Datuk Francis Goh as potential candidate for Kapayan seat.

He added the party will not be swayed by the people’s analysis on Goh's credibility as the latter was a hardworking candidate.

On whether MCA will field any candidate for other seats, Wee said there would be discussions when the 13 additional assembly seats in Sabah were gazetted.

Source: New Straits Times Online | 8 October 2017