Kota Kinabalu International Airport
KOTA KINABALU: The proposal to relocate Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Kimanis was not a good idea said politicians, experts and some ordinary people on the street.
Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Darell Leiking said he was not in favour of moving the airport as it would be difficult and expensive for travellers, particularly those outside of Kota Kinabalu to travel to Kimanis.
“Getting to KKIA from Kota Belud, Tuaran or Ranau is already costly and time consuming. The current airport is strategically located and is close to government facilities and services, including the state’s main hospital.
“The West Malaysian model, such as KLIA Terminal 1 and 2, cannot be applied to Sabah, especially Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
On Monday, Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB) said the results of a feasibility study on the proposed relocation of KKIA would be presented to the Sabah Economic Planning Unit.
QSB, the strategic investment arm of the state government, signed a memorandum of understanding with property developer Berjaya Land Bhd to explore relocating KKIA to Kimanis in June last year.
Leiking added the authorities should instead consider alternative measures, including the possibility of extending the current runway by reclaiming the sea fronting KKIA. KKIA should be refurbished too.
“The Sabah government should prioritise improving basic and much needed infrastructure for the benefit of all Sabahans and tourists, such as transport connectivity and water and electricity supply,” he said.
Meanwhile, transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan said, Sabah has more pressing issues that deserve the attention of the authorities than relocating the Kota airport outside the city.
He said in recent weeks KKIA has seen an average of 38 arrivals and 36 departures, meaning that a plane would either land or take off every 12 minutes. At Changi Airport, it is one every four minutes,” he told FMT.
As such, Rosli said, a new airport was not a priority for Sabah. Instead, he said, the government should develop the state’s railway network.
Sabah State Railway (SSR) needs more resources, new lines and new trains to further support economic growth and lower logistics costs. Investments into SSR will benefit Sabah more.
He stressed his point by saying that housing, electricity and water supply, rural roads and public transport for Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau need more attention by upgrading them.
Johan Arriffin Samad, former Institute for Development Studies CEO said, the construction of an airport away from the city had its merits, including reduced traffic congestion and pollution.
“However, a new airport does not interest the people. It is the wrong time to build an airport as the state’s economy is not in the best shape,” he said.
