KUCHING: Phase 1 of the new Lawas airport is expected to begin construction early next year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that the said airport would cost around RM600 million.
“This airport will be more or less bigger than the one in Limbang,” he said.
He said this when officiating the SarawakKu Sayang programme at Kampung Long Tuma, Lawas today (Nov 8).
Prior to this, he said, the people of Lawas have requested for an airport from the federal government.
He said the state government has decided to build the airport on its own under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) due to the people having waited for an extended period of time.
“I told (Deputy Premier) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan that we will discuss with the federal government. However, the federal government said to us, ‘Tomorrow you pay back RM600 million’.
“We are not stupid. The federal government will later use the RM600 million for other projects in Lawas and Limbang.
“That is why we are sending an experienced elected representative (Datuk Henry Sum Agong) to the Parliament this time,” he said.
On another matter, he also announced that development in Lawas is expected to boom soon.
“One of them is that you are going to have a depot. This is because there are already a lot of investors coming here due to its location being in front of the Brunei Bay.
“Despite Limbang and Lawas being located far in Northern Sarawak, we will still integrate the area as one of developed areas like other areas in Sarawak.
“Though you are distant, you are not isolated. You must be within the mainstream of development that we want to give to our people,” he said.
Awang Tengah when met at the sidelines, said the land compression work for the airport is already in process.
“Some (landowners) have already been paid. So hopefully by early next year, we can start phase one of the project.
“However, thus far, the contractor has yet to be identified,” he said.
