KUCHING: Active engagement with the airlines and airport operators will play a huge role in solving a lot of air mobility issues and passenger experiences.
The Minister for Transport Sarawak (MOTS) also believes that such an engagement will improve the efficiency of the mobility of people and goods in Sarawak.
Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin asserted that it is important to develop Kuching and Miri airports, which have been delayed for quite some time due to changes in government and pandemic lockdowns in the country.
He emphasised that from 2024 onwards, more international flights will use these two airports as the main gate to Sarawak, especially with the increase in flights from Jakarta, Singapore, and prospects from China provinces.
“Most importantly, we need to work closely together with all the industry players in developing the aviation industry in Sarawak towards a resilient, sustainable, and competitive industry.”
He said this during a courtesy visit from Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB) Kuala Lumpur at his office on Wednesday (Jan 10).
On the same note, Lee highlighted several issues that were raised by the passengers: the overall toilets’ cleanliness and maintenance, food and beverage (f&b) at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) international terminal, and the use of aerobridges at the four main airports, namely Kuching, Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu.
He also advised the Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) operator to be punctual and ready to standby for flights that might land much earlier than scheduled.
Towards this end, MAHB general manager, Planning, Development, Standard and Safety, Ir Mohd Khairuddin, reaffirmed that MAHB has refurbished the washrooms at KIA, replaced PBB in Miri and Bintulu, refurbished PBB carpets in Sibu, and refurbished VIP room facilities in Bintulu.
“For MAHB 2024 projects, it will include pavement resurfacing, additional PBB for Miri, airfield ground lighting, X-ray machines, and electrical and IT projects in Miri, Mulu, Bintulu, and Kuching,” Khairuddin added.
On Sarawak airport’s major projects for Kuching and Miri, which require federal government funding, Khairuddin said MAHB assured that they have forwarded their proposals to MOT Malaysia and will follow through with the Ministry.
He said these include the proposed projects for KIA and Miri Airport upgrading, which are to increase the Movement of Passenger Per Annum (MPPA) from 5 million to 7.7 million and from 2 MPPA to 3 MPPA for KIA and Miri, respectively.
Meanwhile, Khairuddin assured that the company had approved RM27.6mil of capital expenditures (CapEx) in 2023 and has yet to complete another RM17mil worth of projects until the first quarter of 2024.
The projects, he said, are for airports and STOLports in Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Limbang, and Lawas.
Consequently, he said the Bario Stolport runway extension was approved with a cost of RM28mil under 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in the third rolling plan and is currently in the planning stage under the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak.
MAHB also highlighted that they have introduced the use of a buggy at KIA, which is located at Level 2 for domestic passengers and at Level 3 for international passengers.
Also present were MAHB’s newly appointed chief operating officer for Malaysia, Gordon Andrew Stewart; accompanied by MAHB Stakeholders Relations and Regulatory Affairs Datuk Abdullah Kadir Bacha, Ahmad Harris from MAHB chief executive officer (CEO) Office, KIA senior manager Ir Jun Iskandar, and KIA manager, Standard and Safety, Ir Muazzamshah.
