New site identified for international airport construction in Perak

 

State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin the project at Perak Tengah District and Land Office here, today.
- NSTP/MUHAMAD LOKMAN KHAIRI

PARIT: The state government has identified a new site near Felcra Nasaruddin in Bota here for the construction of an international airport in Perak.

State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the new location was located about 40km from the original proposed site of the airport in Seri Iskandar.

Mohammad Nizar said however, the proposal to build an airport on a 1,618.7ha site required a thorough study before implementation.

"Today, a meeting was held with Colebrand International Limited which is an infrastructure engineering company from the United Kingdom regarding the site for the construction of the new airport.

"The company is then taken to the proposed location where they will carry out a study to see the suitability of the site before submitting the results of the study to the state government," he said.

Mohammad Nizar said this in a press conference after attending a briefing and presentation of the project at Perak Tengah District and Land Office here, today.

Also present were Colebrand International Limited director Jim Scott and its managing director, Dr Farid Idrus.

He added that the proposed construction of the airport had also been approved in principle by the federal government.

"This company has already met with the Prime Minister's Office, the Transport Ministry and the Perak Menteri Besar to give an overview of the construction of the airport.

"It means that there are no issues with the Transport Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office. They have indicated to agree with what we propose," he said.

When asked about the status of the land, Mohammad Nizar said that it was partly owned by Felcra Nasaruddin, the State Secretary Corporation and the state government.

"The previous airport site involved a lot of village-owned sites and cemeteries which became a problem for residents.

Meanwhile, Farid said the study, which is expected to take six months, would look at the suitability of the location as to whether it meets the requirements of an international standard airport.

He said the results of the study for the first phase would be presented to the state government for further action.

"If the state government agrees with the proposal submitted, then the second phase that will be implemented involves the development of the project.

"Based on our expectations and experience, the construction is expected to take some 60 months or five years. God willing, within the next five years, Perak will have a new airport," he said.

It was reported on Mac 29 last year that land that was previously identified as a location to build a new international airport in Seri Iskandar had been sold.

Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming said it was learned that the land was sold by an irresponsible party without state permission.

Talks to build a bigger airport in Perak to boost tourism and other industries have been going on for years.

The current Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) in Ipoh cannot be expanded as land is limited.

-nst online.