By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 21: The proposed Miri Airport Optimization Plan under the 12th Malaysia Plan which is estimated to cost RM60 million will involve increasing terminal capacity from 2 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 3 million passengers per annum.
According to Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, the proposed scope of works for the expansion comprises a new building extension and upgrading the Rural Air Services (RAS) area; additional check-in counters (CIC); new office areas, signages, and wayfinding; new baggage handling system (BHS); improvement and upgrading works at the first floor departure hall area; pier expansion and additional passenger boarding bridge (PBB); and automation towards airport 4.0.
“The current Miri Airport is designed to cater up to 2 million passengers per annum (MPPA). It is recorded that passenger movement exceeded the airport’s design capacity in 2019, with 2,434,497 passengers,” he said in response to Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang during question time at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today.
Yii had asked what and when will the expansion of Miri Airport capacity be implemented in order to cope with the increasing number of passengers at Miri Airport, or whether a new airport will be constructed to cater for future demands.
Meanwhile, as a supplementary question, the Pujut assemblyman also asked what are the immediate measures taken by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to upgrade Miri Airport.
Dr Jerip listed the measures as follows: the rehabilitation of the existing concrete slab at the parking apron and its associated works at Miri Airport for Bay 2; the installation of an additional 32 Closed Circuit Television cameras (CCTV) at the new passenger covered walkway area, Control Post 1, Centralised Utility Building (CUB) Miri Airport; upgrading of the Storage CCTV System; the replacement of the existing roofing at South and MASKargo Sub-Station; and the replacement of carpet at three units of Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB). — DayakDaily
