MIRI, Feb 20: Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Km Shin is hoping that the proposal to upgrade Miri Airport at a cost of about RM60 million will be approved.
“I hope the federal government will put this project in its priority list, because we have been waiting to upgrade Miri Airport since 2016,” Lee said today after inspecting the recently constructed junction leading into Vista Perdana Permyjaya.
He disclosed, during the previous government, many proposals had been submitted to upgrade Miri Airport, but no response was received.
“At the last meeting held in 2021, we discussed with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to put up proppsals for immediate upgrading and a long-term plan worth around RM285 million,” he said.
Lee added, upgrading Miri Airport is crucial as his ministry is expecting the number of passengers coming here to grow in years to come.
“Miri is not only a tourist destination, but also (a gateway for) those working in the oil and gas industry as Shell Malaysia Berhad is relocating its headquarters from Kuala Lumpur to Miri by end of this year…it would be important for the airport (Miri Airport) in handling passengers,” he told the local media.
He hoped that once the upgrade is approved, construction can start this year.
Recently, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah disclosed that the ministry is planning to upgrade Miri Airport and a proposal had been submitted to the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department for consideration. — DayakDaily
