THE Penang government today urged the Federal Government to allow the expansion of Penang International Airport (PIA) project to take place and to keep the state’s iconic ferry services operating as usual.
Touching on the two issues that would benefit Penangites at large, state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said he hoped the Transport Ministry would keep its commitment to upgrade the airport and maintain the ferry operating service.
On the RM800 million PIA expansion project, Zairil said it was unfortunate that the expansion was delayed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO) which was introduced on March 18 this year.
“In fact on our end, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had approved the project’s planning permission plan and building plan
“We have also asked the Transport Ministry to exclude PIA expansion project from the National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP) as the project was approved beforehand.
“We want the project to be carried out soonest as the airport has reached its capacity.
“That’s why it is important for us to upgrade the airport from the capacity of 6.5 million passengers per annum to 12 million passengers per annum,” Zairil said when responding to a question by Lim Guan Eng (PH – Air Putih) at the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Lim, had in his oral question, wanted to know the latest development of the PIA expansion project and the ferry service operation.
The Transport Ministry had previously announced that all airports, including new developments and expansion, would not be considered as the ministry would be implementing the NASP to encompass all airport developments in the country.
It added that the NASP study is expected to be completed in 2023 and any airport development proposals would be considered after that.
On the ferry services operation, Zairil said the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) would begin the process of taking over the management of ferry services from Rapid Ferry Sdn Bhd (Rapid Ferry).
“The state had a meeting with the Transport Ministry on Aug 27 to discuss issues related to ferry services and transportation.
““The state has requested the Transport Ministry to submit an overall plan for the upgrade work and operation of new ferries to us first, as the ferry is an iconic service and important mode of public transport to all Penangites since 1894.
“Hence, Transport Ministry, through the Penang Port Commission (PPC), will hold a session with us after PPSB’s ferry service business model has been granted the approval by the Federal Government,” he explained, adding that a letter submitted by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to Transport Ministry on Sept 8 has yet to receive a reply.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis