MOT Approves RM30 Million To Upgrade Ba’kelalan & Long Banga STOLports
KUCHING: The Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) has approved an allocation of RM30 million to upgrade the Short Take-off and Landing ports (STOLport) in Ba’kelalan and Long Banga.
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the allocation amounts to RM15 million each for Long Banga and Ba’kelalan STOLports under the Airport Development Fund.
According to him, the planned scope of work includes terminal improvements as well as the potential lengthening of the runways, subject to the suitability of conditions and terrain at both locations.
“We do not want to only talk about upgrading major airports because rural airports also exist and need to be given attention to be upgraded according to current needs,” he said.
He said this when met by the media after the National MADANI Taxi Renewal Programme at the UNIFOR Complex here on Friday.
Datuk Hasbi added that if the runways can be lengthened according to site suitability, the passenger capacity that can be transported from those areas has the potential to be increased.
He mentioned that local conditions and terrain will be among the considerations in determining the scope of upgrading works to ensure the facilities can operate more effectively according to local needs.
In a related development, he added that Miri Airport is also planned to be upgraded at a cost exceeding RM400 million, with the design process currently underway.
In addition, he revealed that the construction of a new airport in Lawas is currently in its early stages, with site clearing work being carried out in Sundar by the Sarawak Government through the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA). — UKASnews
