KUCHING, May 9 2026: The federal government has approved the new ceiling cost for the Miri Airport upgrading project from RM150 million to RM445 million.
Caption: Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin (right) having a luncheon meeting with his federal counterpart Anthony Loke
Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shim said the upgrading work is a federal government project which was initially approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with an allocation of RM150 million during the official dinner in Miri on September 28, 2024.
He said that prior to the dinner, he had personally appealed to the prime minister, in the presence of Premier Abang Johari Openg on the urgent need to upgrade Miri Airport due to increasing passenger traffic, ageing facilities and the growing importance of Miri as the main gateway to northern Sarawak.
“I highlighted to the prime minister the urgency of upgrading Miri Airport, noting that the project had in fact already received approval in principle in 2017 but was subsequently delayed following changes in the federal government administration,” he said in a statement following a luncheon meeting with Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook this afternoon.
During the meeting, Loke announced the increased allocation and implementation of the Miri Airport upgrading project.
Following the approval, the federal Ministry of Economy subsequently approved an allocation of RM3.2 million to the federal Ministry of Transport in 2025 to commence preliminary works for the project.
The works included soil investigation, building condition assessment, survey works, utility mapping and measured drawings to determine the required upgrading scope and estimated project cost.
“After the completion of the preliminary works, a Value Assessment Laboratory (VA Lab) was conducted in February 2026 by the federal Ministry of Transport together with the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS), Public Works Department Malaysia (JKR Malaysia), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and all relevant agencies and stakeholders,” he said.
According to Lee, the findings of the VA Lab identified the need to increase the original approved ceiling cost of RM150 million to ensure all necessary upgrading works identified during the preliminary stage could be fully implemented and the project objectives successfully achieved.
“The federal Ministry of Transport subsequently submitted an application to revise the project ceiling cost, and I am grateful that the Federal Government has agreed to increase the allocation from RM150 million to RM445 million,” he said.
He described the approval as a significant and timely development for Miri and northern Sarawak, particularly in strengthening aviation infrastructure and improving passenger capacity and operational efficiency at Miri Airport.
“I would like to sincerely thank Anwar and Loke Siew Fook for their strong commitment, cooperation and continuous support towards the implementation of public transport and aviation infrastructure projects in Sarawak,” he added.
Lee said Miri Airport currently handles two million passengers per annum (MPPA), and with the implementation of the upgrading project, the airport will be able to accommodate up to four million passengers annually upon completion.
The project is expected to commence construction this year and will be implemented by the Public Works Department Malaysia (JKR Malaysia) and JKR Sarawak as the implementing agency.
He said the upgrading works would involve expansion of the terminal building and aircraft parking facilities, while also modernising airport operations through enhanced digital systems and automated facilities such as self check-in services and improved passenger processing systems.
The project is also expected to improve operational efficiency, passenger comfort and safety standards, including full segregation of domestic and international passengers in compliance with requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Lee further highlighted that Miri Airport serves as the second busiest airport in Sarawak after Kuching International Airport, and plays a vital role as the main hub for Rural Air Services (RAS), currently operated by AirBorneo, connecting urban centres with rural and interior areas across Sarawak and Sabah.
“The state Ministry of Transport remains committed to assisting the federal government in ensuring the smooth implementation of this important project according to the planned timeline,” he said.
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