By Nur Ashikin Louis
LAWAS, Nov 8: Constructing the new Lawas Airport would cost about RM600 million, says Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The new airport which was previously reported to be built in Sundar will be larger and wider than the existing Lawas airport.
Speaking during the Sarawakku Sayang programme in Long Tuma here today, Abang Johari said the people of Lawas have requested for an airport from the federal government.
However, since the people have waited too long, the Sarawak government has decided to build the airport on its own.
“I told Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (Deputy Premier of Sarawak) that we will discuss with the federal government. However, the federal government said, ‘tomorrow you pay back RM600 million’ (sic).
“We are not stupid. The federal government will later use the RM600 million for other projects in Lawas and Limbang.
“That is why we (should) send an experienced elected representative (Dato Henry Sum Agong) to Parliament this time,” he said during the programme which was livestreamed by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) on Facebook today.
After the event, when prompted by reporters, Awang Tengah said compensation for the land is already in progress.
“Some (landowners) have already been paid.
“So hopefully by early next year, we can start phase one of the project,” he said.
He also said the contractor has yet to be identified.
Also present were Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Deputy Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Dato Gerawat Gala; Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic and Development Plan) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; and Lawas incumbent Dato Henry Sum Agong. — DayakDaily
