Kuching: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak condemned the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) for what it calls a “blind allegiance” to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the contentious debate over the proposed relocation of Kuching International Airport (KIA) to Tanjung Embang.
Michael Kong Feng Nian, Special Assistant to DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said SUPP – a key component of the GPS coalition, abandoned its responsibility to the people by failing to critically evaluate the project’s viability and cost.
“SUPP has once again chosen to act as a political cheerleader rather than a responsible stakeholder in governance.
“They applaud any billion-ringgit idea from GPS without questioning the impact it will have on the daily lives of Sarawakians or the state’s financial health,” Michael Kong said in a statement today.
He issued a sharp rebuke following recent remarks by SUPP’s Wilfred Yap, who brushed aside concerns raised by Chong about the cost, location, and long-term feasibility of the controversial airport project.
The proposed new airport is reported to be constructed at a multibillion-dollar cost.
Michael Kong added that DAP Sarawak is never against any development for the prosperity of Sarawak.
“What Chong Chieng Jen is questioning is the cost, location, and long-term impact of relocating Kuching International Airport to Tanjung Embang, a site that would require travelers to journey up to 2 hours (after factoring in traffic congestion and distance) just to catch a flight. This would force travelers to leave their homes at least 3 hours before flight time, a ridiculous situation for Kuching.
“We must learn from examples like Kuala Lumpur, where in 2020 alone, traffic congestion was estimated to cost the nation RM20 billion annually, including losses in productivity, fuel, and health-related costs due to pollution. Are we heading down the same road?” he asked.
He added that expanding KIA in its current location would be far more cost-effective than building a new airport from scratch.
“On top of that, it will allow surrounding areas like 7 Mile, Jalan Sungai Tapang, and Stampin Resettlement Scheme to benefit from the economic spillover.
“At the same time, efforts can be made to develop Tanjung Embang into a vibrant ecotourism destination, complementing Muara Tebas and Asajaya,” he said.
Instead of unquestioningly championing every billion-ringgit idea thrown up by GPS, Michael Kong said Wilfred Yap and SUPP should do their jobs and ask the hard questions. If they cannot do this, then DAP Sarawak will continue to be the voice of reason and responsibility in the face of unchecked spending.
“DAP is not here to oppose for the sake of opposing. Unlike SUPP, we are proposing realistic, people-friendly alternatives. One such proposal is to relocate the Air Force base currently situated adjacent to Kuching International Airport, thereby freeing up valuable land for terminal expansion and improving facilities within the existing location.
“This is not a radical idea because it has been done before. The Air Force base at Sungai Besi was successfully relocated to pave the way for Bandar Malaysia, proving that such strategic decisions can yield high-value outcomes,” he concluded.
