THE Penang government respects Kedah’s decision to build the proposed Kulim Airport.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state accepted that it was Kedah’s right to build the airport.
“However, it is still subjected to the Federal Government’s approval, which includes the ability to finance the project,” Chow explained after the ground-breaking ceremony of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang’s new building in Lebuh Tenggiri 2 at Seberang Jaya today.
It was reported that KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd has appointed Aeroport de Paris Ingenierie (ADPI) to draw up a development masterplan for the Kulim International Airport (KXP) Aerotropolis.
Chow reiterated that the Penang government had been told by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir that KXP would only be a cargo airport and not to ferry passengers.
“We will raise our concerns in the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) Council meeting,” he said.
On a separate matter, Chow said that the Penang government was hoping to sign the formal agreement of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) with the project delivery partner by March this year.
“The agreement is currently being vetted. It is a meticulous process.
“After the signing of agreement, the second phase of work can proceed. These include working on the design and the calling of tender for the contract works.
“If everything proceeds as planned, we can expect construction works to start sometime in the last quarter of this year or perhaps sooner,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis