Kuching: DAP Sarawak Chairman and ADUN for Padungan Chong Chieng Jen has urged Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin to make public the feasibility study for the proposed New Kuching International Airport (NKIA), questioning its projected costs, passenger targets and long-term viability.
The study, undertaken by Netherlands Airport Consultants and Jurutera Jasa Sdn Bhd, was referenced by Lee during his winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
However, Chong said Lee had failed to elaborate on the report’s details and qualifying conditions, arguing that the minister’s brief and vague explanation raised more questions than answers.
“Most importantly, he has avoided stating the projected costs of the NKIA. If one can gather from the few statements made by Abang Jo in the past on the NKIA, it will cost at least more than RM10 billion,” Chong said.
Chong questioned what the report’s “high-growth scenario” entailed, the projected passenger numbers and how the government planned to achieve those targets.
He also sought clarification on the airport’s construction costs, the additional travel time and transportation expenses passengers would face compared with the existing Kuching International Airport (KIA), and how the government intended to increase passenger numbers on international routes amid difficulties sustaining demand.
Chong further criticised Lee’s response to Lim Kit Siang’s remarks on Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), arguing that Lim’s criticism had been taken out of context.
“Mahathir’s choice of KLIA with such a distance came with great costs. Most of us who travel to KL from Kuching will complain about the travel time from KLIA to KL city and the cost of transport.
“Over the years, this is ten of billions of extra costs to the people. Sarawak should not repeat this mistake by choosing Tanjung Embang,” he said.
As an alternative, Chong proposed negotiating with the Malaysian Air Force to relocate its facilities, freeing up additional land for the proposed airport.
He argued that the additional land could provide sufficient space to accommodate NKIA’s needs for the next 50 to 100 years.
