KUCHING, Sept 15: There is no issue involving the Bebuling STOLport project that would lead it to become a potential sick project.
In clarifying this, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in a statement today, said it was just malicious for an opposition leader to allege this on social media recently.
According to Uggah, the project was originally scheduled to be completed on March 18, 2023, but has been revised to Feb 10, 2024 due to significant changes made to the overall plan.
“Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during a visit to the site early this year, had voiced out his dissatisfaction over the length of the runway which limited the type of aircraft which could land.
“A proposal on lengthening the runway was made to the State Cabinet and a decision was made.
“Pending the decision, work had came to a temporary standstill at the site,” he said.
Uggah visited the project site in Spaoh today after attending a briefing on the implementation of Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects in Betong Division at the Betong Resident’s Office earlier on.
Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, noted the STOLport runway was lengthened from 790 metres to 1,190 metres and the runway strip from 850 metres to 1,370 metres.
He explained this will allow aircraft such as the 2.7-tonne Cessna 408 with a capacity of 19 passengers and the 2.3-tonne Beechcraft King Air (11 passengers) to land in addition to the 1.8-tonne DHC 6 Twin Otter (19 passengers) and the 1.4-tonne Cessnax208 Caravan (nine passengers).
He said the other additions made include a VIP lounge, security X-ray and screening system, baggage check-in, bigger public and staff parking lot, and other necessary facilities and equipment.
Uggah also pointed out that the original contract sum for Bebuling airport was RM108 million and with the new specifications, it had been revised to RM250 million.
He said the project is on schedule and as at August 25, its actual physical progress was at 19.74 per cent against its scheduled progress of 25 per cent and the contractor had sufficient machinery, manpower and building materials at the site.
“Since these are non-issues in following the Public Works Department (JKR) expectation, I am confident the Bebulling STOLport project can be completed on time.”
Earlier, Uggah accompanied by a political secretary to the Premier Dr Richard Rapu presented cheques for grants totaling RM92,500 to various Chinese non-governmental bodies in Spaoh.
They were received by Pemanca Goh Leng Tong on behalf of the respective NGOS. — DayakDaily
