Penang writes to Transport Ministry for date to discuss Kulim airport plan

GEORGE TOWN: Penang government has sent a letter to the Transport Ministry for a tripartite meeting between the state, Kedah and the ministry to discuss the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP).

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he had sent a letter today asking the ministry to set a date for the said meeting before July.

“My office had sent a letter to the Transport Minister asking for the meeting.

“Like I said yesterday, during the Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers meeting with the Prime Minister, I had raised Penang’s concern about the Kulim International Airport (KXP) and it’s impact on Penang International Airport.

“The state hopes the meeting can be arranged before the next Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers meeting in July,” he told reporters here today.

Yesterday, Chow said the meeting was mooted after the state raised its concerns over KXP at the meeting.

Chow had also said Penang had used all available platforms and avenues, including the just-concluded state legislative assembly sitting, to speak up against the KXP project.

Recently, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said that the proposed RM1.6 billion KXP mega project would be fully funded by the private sector, as the government was severely lacking in funds for that kind of infrastructure development.

The KXP is one of the seven mega projects announced for Kedah recently.

Meanwhile, Chow said the state government was hoping to sign an agreement with Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd the project delivery partner for the Penang Undersea Tunnel and three major roads project.

“Our legal advisor is still looking at final details before signing the agreement. We hope to do it soon, hopefully in one or two months.” he said.