Shoot Down Proposal To Redevelop Subang Airport Wee Told

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The Public Transport Users Association says it is disappointed that the transport minister has not publicly rejected a plan to redevelop Subang Airport.PETALING JAYA: Transport minister Wee Ka Siong should shoot down any proposal that would see Subang Airport “carved out” from the network of airports run by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), says a consumer group.
The Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) said it was disappointed that Wee has not rejected a proposed plan for the redevelopment of the airport.
It was previously reported that construction and development company WCT Holdings Bhd, controlled by tycoon Desmond Lim, had submitted a proposal to operate the airport under a lease, with the government continuing to own the land and the airport.
The transport ministry has said that any proposal to redevelop the airport is still preliminary and that “any final considerations and decision rests with the Cabinet”.
However, 4PAM president Ajit Johl said the government should not even consider any such proposal as the operation of an airport should be left to experienced parties.
“Taking over an airport is a serious issue, and has many ramifications, from passenger safety and security and compliance to international standards, strict regulations and enforcement,” he said.
He said Subang Airport is part of the network of 39 airports operated by MAHB.
“MAHB has a national duty to ensure all 39 airports are running, and 4PAM has been made to understand that not all the airports are profitable, making cross-subsidisation vital to ensure air connectivity is maintained across the nation.”
Ajit said air connectivity was critical for tourism, medical, education and basic transport, especially for those in the rural parts of Sabah and Sarawak.
He also said any changes to the management of the airport could affect MAHB’s Subang Airport Regeneration masterplan which will help turn Malaysia into a leading aerospace hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
That plan will involve about RM1.3 billion in investments from MAHB and third parties, and generate RM5 billion in economic output. - FMT

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