RELOCATION OF KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KIMANIS TAKES UP TO FIVE YEARS - QSB

KOTA KINABALU, July 31 (Bernama) -- The relocation of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (LTAKK) to Kimanis is expected to take between three to five years, said Qhazanah Sabah Berhad (QSB) chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.

He said the matter required careful planning and QSB had conducted a feasibility study on the matter, with the outcome of the study presented to the Sabah State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) for tabling to the cabinet.

 "UPEN's view is positive, the decision is by the state government's decision...there will be a lot more coordination that needs to be done with Berjaya Land Berhad, the Ministry of Transport and Malaysia Airport Berhad," he said when met by reporters after the state-level Warriors Day celebration at Padang Merdeka here today.

Also present were Sabah  Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

During a State Assembly sitting in July last year, Hajiji reportedly said that the state government nor Qhazanah Sabah had to pay a single sen for the feasibility study.

Yusof, who is Sindumin Assemblyman, said he had also held a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke, recently, and also with the relevant parties to discuss the matter.

They welcome the plan as a long-term vision for the state’s development, he said, adding that the proposed relocation of LTAKK to Kimanis area would spur the development of support services,   such as the construction of an aerospace training centre, and aircraft repair station, in addition to developing a new city.

"The construction of the LTAKK (in Kimanis) will also not adversely affect the area which also houses the Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT)," he said, adding that the construction cost of the LTAKK would be financed by private companies.

-- BERNAMA