KUCHING, Oct 19 2026: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin has described Padungan State Legislative Member (SLM) Chong Chieng Jen's argument to abandon the proposed new Kuching International Airport (KIA) not only short-sighted, but a glaring example of political double standards.
"Talking about being short-sighted, this reminds me of a strikingly similar argument made by his own party's veteran leader Lim Kit Siang, nearly three decades ago during the development of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), when he labelled it as a financial burden for our country.
"Can you imagine what will happen today if KLIA was not developed and we stick to Subang Airport like what he proposed? KLIA that the DAP veteran once called a 'white elephant' is today handling 63.3 million passengers annually," Lee said in his winding up speech in the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.
Lee reminds Chong that the DAP-controlled Penang government has championed the Penang South Islands reclamation development, involving billions of ringgit, while the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit project carries a budget ceiling of RM16.8 billion.
"These projects are defended on the grounds of improving connectivity, attracting investments and preparing Penang for future growth," he said.
"Has the Honourable Member for Padungan ever demanded that the Penang government led by DAP abandon its multi-billion-ringgit reclamation project? Has he called for the cancellation of the Mutiara Line project because of its enormous
cost?
"If these projects can be justified as long-term investments for Penang, why should the new KIA not be regarded as a long-term investment for Sarawak?" he asked.
Lee said Sarawak must not be denied the same right to develop, modernise and prosper as other states in Malaysia, saying:" We are almost the same size as the whole of Peninsular Malaysia with vast geographical distances, growing economic activities and communities that depend heavily on air connectivity that is still lagging behind.
"Our airport is not merely a building to accommodate passengers. It is a strategic gateway for tourism, international trade, investments, air cargo, aviation services and Sarawak's future economic growth. Instead of asking the
Sarawak government to cancel this project, Chong should use his position as a Member of Parliament to advocate federal support for major infrastructure projects in Sarawak," Lee said.
He asked with Chong's five terms of tenure until now as an elected Member of Parliament, has he ever succeeded in securing any funding from the federal government for major infrastructure projects in Sarawak?
Lee described Chong's suggestion that the state government spent a few hundred million ringgit to upgrade the existing Kuching International Airport may sound attractive in the short term, but it fails to address the fundamental need for long-term aviation infrastructure planning.
"Simply expanding the existing terminal does not automatically resolve limitations involving runway capacity, aircraft movements, airside infrastructure, cargo facilities, maintenance, repair and overhaul
(MRO) facilities and future expansion due to the existing Kuching International Airport having limited land size.
"Besides, having an airport in the middle of the city limits the development of high rise buildings within the surrounding areas," Lee stressed.
He explained that the proposal to build the new KIA is supported by a feasibility study undertaken by Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), a global airport consultant and engineering firm with 75 years of
experience in airport planning and development, involvement in more than 750 airports worldwide, which collaborate with the state's local consultant, Jurutera Jasa Sdn Bhd.
He said NACO's extensive international experience also includes major aviation hubs such as Amsterdam Schiphol, Singapore Changi, Incheon and Hamad International Airport.
He added the completed study has concluded that Tanjung Embang is technically and operationally feasible for the proposed airport development.
He said the feasibility study projects that NKIA could contribute approximately RM1.8 billion annually to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050 under the high-growth scenario, while supporting approximately 37,919 full-time equivalent jobs across the wider economy.
"During construction, Phase 1 could also support around 9,393 jobs annually over the projected six-year construction period," he said.
He said the study also projects that increased passenger traffic could generate RM3.99 billion in tourism receipts by 2050, adding that these benefits could attract new investments, strengthen local businesses, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth across Sarawak.
"We must plan not merely for the needs of today or just the next few years, but for the Sarawak of the next 25 to 50 years. The proposed the new KIA at Tanjung Embang is envisioned as a strategic catalyst for aviation-related
industries, logistics, tourism, investment and economic development.
"Building on the completed feasibility study, the project's scope and implementation structure will be assessed against market demand, technical and regulatory requirements and financial viability," he said,
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