Photo courtesy of Buletin Mutiara
As reported in The Star
As reported in
Malay Mail
Thursday, July 03, 2014 - 09:11
THE federal government has been asked to unveil
the national airport master plan to facilitate state governments
intending to propose additional airports and runways.
Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said the master plan existed but was not unveiled publicly.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had mentioned about the
existence of the master plan when he launched the klia2 recently.
“I have asked several MPs but they knew nothing about it. It seems everyone is in the dark about it,” Wong said.
“Thus, I am calling the federal government to tell us about the master plan.”
He said it was important for the national plan to be revealed as it
would then enable state governments to engage in a more consultative
process and integrated approach towards the matter.
“Although it exists, right now we do not know whether it was just actually a draft plan or a complete one.”
Wong said unveiling the master plan would enable participation from various sides which could benefit the project.
“It should not just be a top-down approach,” said Wong, adding
Singapore and Hong Kong already had their national master plan outlined
until year 2013 and Malaysia should follow suit.
He was referring to the recent debate over the proposed Kulim
International Airport as proposed by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri
Mukhriz Mahathir and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his
proposed second runway.
Hong Kong, Wong said, had proposed to build its third runway by 2030
while Singapore plans to have its fourth from the present two in the
same year.
“These two countries have already revealed their bold plans very much far ahead,” he said.
“Likewise, the federal government should do so. Having a plan to
build an international airport should not be done on an ad hoc basis.
Addressing his concern, Wong said any airport built without massive planning would eventually be turned into a white elephant.
“There must be lots of consultations and planning in building an international airport,” he said.
Last month, Mukhriz said Kedah was set to have a new international airport that would boost economic growth.
His proposal was initially objected by Lim but the chief minister
subsequently gave a “conditional blessing” for Kedah to have it in Kulim
if Penang were given two runways and a cargo hub as well as the
establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub as in its
expansion plan.
As reported in
The Sun
Penang wants to see masterplan for airports
: Penang has urged Putrajaya to reveal the federal government's masterplan for airports in the country.
Wong Hon Wai, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary, said
such a document was important to ensure equitable development.
He said a masterplan allowed both the federal and state governments
as well as industries to plan policy matters and investments
accordingly.
He said the document could also provide a framework for consultation
purposes as such facilities were important for economic growth.
He said airports were an important piece of the economic puzzle and a
masterplan could lay the groundwork for deeper communication between
state administrators and federal officials.
"Show us the masterplan regarding airports," the Air Itam assemblyman said in a press conference today.
The call comes after Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir
proposed an international airport to
be built in Kulim to cater to
projected growth in the northern region.
Lim then countered with a call to expand the current Penang
International Airport by building a second runway, creating an
integrated cargo hub and establishing a maintenance, repair and overhaul
(MRO) hub.
黄汉伟（右图）接着举例，香港去年上载了一份60页的2030年机场规划蓝图，内容涵盖赤鱲角机场的未来建设，如2030年增加第三跑道及针对货运、乘客量和竞争力方面的详细分析，未雨绸缪地规划发展。
他觉得，居林机场的建议是个不成熟的概念，反观槟城国际机场在服务本区域方面，已拥有良好的发展基础，甚至可大胆规划和建造第二跑道。
