By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 19: Sarawak’s new international airport will be constructed in Tanjung Embang, Samarahan Division, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He explained that the new airport was initially proposed to be built in Matang, Kuching. However, complications arose with the airplane’s approach due to international airspace regulations.
“If the flight were to enter another country’s airspace, it would need to request permission and possibly pay for the use of their airspace.
“In Matang, flights would have to pass through Indonesian airspace above Kalimantan, which posed logistical challenges. As a result, we decided to relocate the airport to Tanjung Embang,” he said during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Branch Delegates Meeting for the Southern Zone held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
Abang Johari further shared that the design of the new airport would be inspired by the airport model in Doha, Qatar.
A committee, chaired by the Sarawak Financial Secretary (SFS), has been set up to explore the details of the airport proposal.
Meanwhile, Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, whose constituency includes Tanjung Embang, believes that the development of the new airport will provide significant economic benefits to Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, and surrounding areas.
“The time frame to witness these spin-offs will not take long because we will have our own airline this year, and the plans to build the deep sea port and new airport, amounting to RM100 billion, are expected to take place during the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period.
“Thus, I believe these development plans are in the ‘fast-track’ status,” he said when met by reporters after the event. – DayakDaily
