By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 9: Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang has proposed the construction of a “new regional international airport” to enhance connectivity between Northern Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesia.
In his debate speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today, Yii suggested that the new airport could be strategically located between Miri and Bintulu, offering a larger catchment area for passengers and serving the entire Northern region.
He added that with the relocation of the Indonesian capital to Nusantara, the airport can also provide connectivity solutions to airlines to connect Sarawak and Indonesia.
“Coupled with the rejuvenation and development of Miri Port and the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, Miri can emerge as an important international transit city for connecting Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan by air, land and sea.
“Therefore, I urge the Transport Ministry of Sarawak to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a new regional airport somewhere in the middle between Miri and Bintulu. This study should explore potential locations, costs, and economic benefits of a new airport to serve the entire northern region of Sarawak,” he said.
Yii said since the airport is under the jurisdiction of the Federal government, the initiative would require the necessary support from the Federal government.
He suggested that the Transport Ministry of Sarawak undertake the project by themselves or collaborate with foreign investors by referencing Senai Airport of Johor Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd which took over the operations from Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) in 2003 under a 50-year concession to develop the airport, if the necessary support is not forthcoming from the Federal government.
“The proposed Miri International Airport can be developed under a similar arrangement as Senai Airport of Johor,” he said. — DayakDaily
