Questions remain on the completion of the much-delayed KLIA2 project - even AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes is none the wiser as to when it will be ready.
In fact, he said, construction of the low-cost terminal is one of the "big mysteries of the world".
"Who knows what is going on in KLIA2? It's one of big mysteries of the world. The (completion) date moves every week," he said at the Global Malaysia Series today.
Speaking at the event organised by the government's Performance and Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu), he said the KLIA2 project exemplifies the lack of transparency in Malaysia.
“Someone else is always to blame, and you're either anti-this or that. That needs to end. We need to mature as an economy and a country,” he said.
It was previously reported that the airport is to start operationson May 2 next year, a delay from its initial launch date of June 28 this year.
A media briefing on KLIA2's progress by Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi was supposed to be called late last month, but the event was cancelled without a reason being given.
Asked after the event for more details, however, Fernandes said questions on KLIA2 should be directed to AirAsia Bhd's CEO Aireen Omar.
AirAsia will be the largest airline to use the KLIA2, and the completion delay has reportedly hampered the budget airline's expansion plans.
However, Abdul Aziz has told the Dewan Rakyat that KLIA2 costs doubled from RM2 billion to RM4 billion due to AirAsia's numerous requests.
In fact, he said, construction of the low-cost terminal is one of the "big mysteries of the world".
"Who knows what is going on in KLIA2? It's one of big mysteries of the world. The (completion) date moves every week," he said at the Global Malaysia Series today.
Speaking at the event organised by the government's Performance and Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu), he said the KLIA2 project exemplifies the lack of transparency in Malaysia. “Someone else is always to blame, and you're either anti-this or that. That needs to end. We need to mature as an economy and a country,” he said.
It was previously reported that the airport is to start operationson May 2 next year, a delay from its initial launch date of June 28 this year.
A media briefing on KLIA2's progress by Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi was supposed to be called late last month, but the event was cancelled without a reason being given.
Asked after the event for more details, however, Fernandes said questions on KLIA2 should be directed to AirAsia Bhd's CEO Aireen Omar. AirAsia will be the largest airline to use the KLIA2, and the completion delay has reportedly hampered the budget airline's expansion plans.
However, Abdul Aziz has told the Dewan Rakyat that KLIA2 costs doubled from RM2 billion to RM4 billion due to AirAsia's numerous requests.
'Malaysians benefit'
To a question from the moderator, Fernandes said his "biggest fear" is that government will have greater involvement in business.
"Government should facilitate business and not be involved in business. It's a major problem, there's a big confusion between supporting private venture and government-linked corporations," he said.
He also addressed criticism against him for moving AirAsia's group headquarters to Jakarta.
Asked if his statement that Indonesia is the centre of Asean could be misconstrued, he said: "It doesn't change the fact that (we) are Malaysian.
"Government should facilitate business and not be involved in business. It's a major problem, there's a big confusion between supporting private venture and government-linked corporations," he said. He also addressed criticism against him for moving AirAsia's group headquarters to Jakarta.
Asked if his statement that Indonesia is the centre of Asean could be misconstrued, he said: "It doesn't change the fact that (we) are Malaysian.
"So Indonesia becomes the centre of Asean. Who cares as long as Malaysians benefit from it?"
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