Najib announces extension of Sandakan airport runway

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced the extension of the Sandakan airport runway to handle direct and chartered flights from China.

The Prime Minister said the value management was being carried out to determine the contract price.

"I have asked the Transport Minister (Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai) to determine the contract price and to expedite the matter.

"I propose to launch the project on my next visit to Sandakan," he said to reporters after a tour of the Sandakan Harbour Square here.

Najib said the runway extension would enable the airport to handle bigger aircraft, such as the Airbus 330.

The Prime Minister said direct or chartered flights from China would be able to use the Sandakan airport.

"The terminal building will remain untouched. We will only focus on the runway extension," he said.

Najib said the extension of the runway would have a major positive impact on Sandakan's economy.

Sandakan would receive many tourists and other visitors, and this would make the district more progressive, he said.

-- BERNAMA