PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Anthony Loke has clarified that the Kedah state government has never sent an application to the ministry on its plans to develop an aviation hub dubbed the Kedah Aerotropolis.
Loke (Pakatan Harapan-Seremban) said this when responding to a question by Azman Nasrudin (Perikatan Nasional-Padang Serai) who claimed that Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim had snubbed plans to build the Kulim International Airport (KXP), which is part of the Kedah Aerotropolis, when he re-tabled the Budget 2023.
“No, he (Anwar) did not say it’s cancelled. There are no applications, how can we cancel a project just like that?” Loke reiterated.
“We want to engage constructively. If the state government has an application and investors for the aerotropolis project, please come forward,” Loke said during the winding-up speech of his ministry in Parliament today.
During the re-tabling of Budget 2023, Anwar announced a project to expand the Penang International Airport and the Subang Airport, saying the expansion of the plan is expected to translate into economic benefits at much lower costs, compared to the previous proposal to build a new airport in Kulim, which is an estimated RM7 billion.
Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has since urged Anwar to approve the Kedah Aerotropolis logistics hub project that includes the construction of KXP.
Unlike the Penang and Subang international airports - which Anwar had decided to channel funds to – Sanusi said the Kedah Aerotropolis will not need any federal financing.
The PAS politician explained that the project will instead be a private finance initiative and fully funded by investments from local firms.
However, while Putrajaya's funds are not required, Sanusi said the state still needs federal approval to proceed with the project.
Carey Island
In other development, Loke defended the proposed construction of a port on Carey Island, saying it is necessary for the development of a third port in Port Klang.
Elaborating on the matter, the DAP lawmaker said Westport – one of the existing ports in Port Klang, would achieve its peak capacity in 15 years’ time.
“Carey Island is a project for the future, not for now. There are plans to build a bigger port.
“The port on Carey Island is a 30-year project, so that is a long-term project for the country.
“When this project commences, it would lead to immense development in Kuala Langat. It involves a wide area and it’s a maritime city concept,” he said.
Anwar, in his Budget 2023 speech, said the government would leave the development of the port at Carey Island to the private sector.
He said the project could bolster Klang Port as a major shipping hub for the Asia Pacific region. - Mkini
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