THE Penang government has expressed its concerns pertaining to the Kulim airport in the most sincere manner.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this after he was informed by the media that Kedah MB Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir had confirmed that the proposed Kulim airport (KXP) would only focus on cargo.
“I have said it a few times that the Kedah Mentri Besar mentioned that it would be a cargo airport when he paid a courtesy call on me last year but (news) reports suggested that it is more than a cargo airport.
“However, we will take note of his assurance,” Chow told a press conference after the State Legislative Assembly sitting at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Chow said that the proposed KXP project was still in its ‘early stage’.
“First, there must be a proposal by a private finance initiative (PFI) company, and I am sure that the proposal would have to go through all the necessary process, similarly to what we have done for our Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
“We have expressed our concerns in the most sincere manner and have looked at how Penang will be impacted by the proposed Kulim airport,” Chow said.
He said that the Finance Ministry and the Federal Government had no objection to the airport, but Penang has its concerns.
“PFI cannot be the some reason to implement the project. It doesn’t mean that anything that is financed by PFI is good. Those who are impacted may think otherwise.
“In this case, it may be good for Kulim but it may not be good for Penang.
“The message from the House is clear and they (elected representatives) shared equal concerns,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting and Alissala Thian
Video by Chan Kok Kuan