Kedah govt hopes feasibility study on proposed new airport to be done soon

The Kedah government is hoping that a feasibility study on its proposal to build an international airport in Kulim can be done as soon as possible.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said this was because the proposal was made based on the input from relevant stakeholders, such as Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the industry.

"That is why we are confident (to propose the construction of the airport), but a feasibility study still needs to be done.

"We got all the basic covered, all we need now is to study closely whether or not the data will support the proposal," he told reporters after attending a breaking of fast event here yesterday.

Mukhriz said the study was to facilitate the decision-making process at the federal level because the project would involve many ministries, especially Transport and Finance, as well as the Economic Planning Unit.

On Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's response that Kedah did not need another international airport, especially one so near to Penang, and that the proposal by Kedah government was not logical, not economically feasible and justifiable, Mukhriz said:

"The project was proposed to complement what already existed in Penang. I was made to understand that the Penang government wants to emphasize on the service sector. This is the sector that will provide high returns but does not need a heavy industry or cargoes, it's more on passengers. This (new airport) is inspired by Penang.

"If you look at FDI (foreign direct investment), ports are needed for heavy industry. For service industry, what it needs is airports for passengers."