Sarawak appoints Dutch consultants for new Kuching Int'l Airport feasibility study
KUCHING (May 26): Sarawak has appointed Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) as lead consultant to do a feasibility study on the new Kuching International Airport in Tanjung Embang.
Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the Netherlands-based international consultant will partner local company, Jurutera Jasa (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, to carry out the study, which is scheduled to be completed by February next year.
'This strategic collaboration brings together world-class international expertise and vital local knowledge to ensure a comprehensive and high-quality study. It will be a thorough assessment,' he said at a press conference during the State Assembly sitting here today.
Lee said the consultant will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study, which includes assessing and verifying potential airport sites based on technical, operational, environmental, and strategic criteria.
This will be followed by a detailed analysis of the preferred site to determine its long-term viability and sustainability.
Lee also said his ministry expects the airport development to be completed within five to six years after the feasibility report is finalised.
'The report will also include a financial model, so the development does not need to be fully funded by the state government. We are open to other investors, including public-private partnerships,' he said.
He said NACO was selected after a thorough evaluation of its technical qualifications, financial proposals and relevant experience to ensure the consultant can meet Sarawak's strategic aviation development goals.
Earlier, when winding up the debate for his ministry, Lee said the joint venture has marked a significant milestone in the early planning phase of the airport.
'Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the next phase will focus on creating a detailed aerotropolis master plan and airport design, covering terminal capacity, runways, facilities, and transport connectivity to support future growth in passenger and cargo traffic. This phase will lay the groundwork for the airport's construction,' he said. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Sun
Sarawak infrastructure projects boosted under 13MP, says Works Minister
KUCHING: The recently tabled 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) places comprehensive emphasis on national infrastructure development, including in Sarawak. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Works Ministry (KKR) carries a major responsibility in implementing infrastructure development, as without good roads, it would be difficult to deliver other services such as education, healthcare and safety. 'Roads are like the lifeblood of the body. Without them, development is hard to reach rural areas. For example, although school projects fall under the Ministry of Education, their implementation and monitoring are the responsibility of the Public Works Department (JKR). 'This is the kind of inter-agency cooperation that must continue for the benefit of the people,' he told a press conference after the handover ceremony of the completed Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Rantau Panjang here today. Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, said the project in the Sungai Batang Rajang area — involving the construction of a main road from Nanga Serau to Nanga Seranau and included under the 13MP — is still in its preliminary stages, and no implementation date has been set yet. 'The road is expected to span around 70 kilometres and benefit thousands of residents, including villages, longhouses, schools and clinics,' he said. As for the Sarawak Trans Borneo Highway project, Nanta said it comprises three phases starting from Tudan to Kuala Baram in the Miri division near the Malaysia-Brunei border checkpoint, ending in the Limbang division without entering Brunei. 'This project is a continuation of the Pan Borneo Highway and will have a major impact, especially on the economic development and connectivity of areas like Limbang, which is a key town in northern Sarawak,' he said. Earlier in his speech, Nanta said JKR would continue monitoring all aspects of post-handover maintenance to ensure the project functions properly and meets the required specifications. 'The successful completion and timely handover of two more projects today proves that the MADANI Government's aspirations are not just rhetoric but are realised through quality projects that are completed on schedule and bring added value to the community,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Take an independent tack on China, Wang Yi urges South Korea
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has used his first official phone call with his new South Korean counterpart to call on Seoul to oppose 'decoupling' and to pursue an independent foreign policy. In his call with Cho Hyun on Monday, Wang urged South Korea to promote a 'stable, sustainable and predictable' China policy and to deepen pragmatic cooperation, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the two ministers spoke for about 45 minutes, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership in a 'steady and mature' manner. 'They agreed to work together to ensure that the upcoming Apec summit in Gyeongju serves as a new turning point in bilateral ties and to deliver tangible outcomes in practical cooperation that can be felt by the peoples of both countries,' Yonhap reported, citing South Korea's foreign ministry. Beijing seeks to reset its ties with the newly installed leadership in Seoul under President Lee Jae-myung. Ties between Beijing and Seoul have begun to thaw since Lee, widely viewed as a China dove, assumed office on June 4, succeeding his US-leaning predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, who fell from grace following a failed attempt to impose martial law. Lee spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a call last month, and Lee has reportedly been invited to attend China's military parade in Tiananmen Square on September 3 for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The South Korean leader has yet to say whether he will go. During their call on Monday, Wang also voiced support for South Korea's hosting of the Apec summit on October 31 and November 1, which Xi is widely expected to attend. US President Donald Trump has also been invited but has yet to confirm his attendance. Speculation has been rife about a possible face-to-face meeting between Xi and Trump at Apec, as well as the likelihood of the US president visiting China either before or after the South Korea event. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang stressed that Beijing and Seoul should be 'genuine strategic cooperative partners' and China had maintained 'consistent and stable' policies toward South Korea. 'China hopes that the South Korean policy towards China will also remain stable, sustainable and predictable, avoiding fluctuation,' he said. In an apparent reference to Yoon, whose pivot towards Washington and Tokyo and confrontational approach to Beijing strained ties with China, Wang also urged Seoul to maintain 'independence and autonomy' in its foreign policy. 'China-South Korea relations are based on mutual interests, beneficial to both peoples, not targeting any third party, and should not be subject to any third party,' Wang said. The Chinese diplomat also called on Seoul to 'deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve common development', 'jointly oppose 'decoupling and supply chain disruption' and safeguard stable and smooth global industrial and supply chains'. The comments echoed Xi's message to Lee in which the Chinese president appealed for wider diplomatic, economic and cultural exchanges towards 'good-neighbourly friendship', while urging Seoul to respect Beijing's core interests from Taiwan to the South China Sea. Yonhap reported that Wang also congratulated Cho, who took office last week, on his inauguration, and the pair agreed to maintain the positive momentum in bilateral ties through high-level exchanges. Cho invited Wang to visit South Korea, and Wang said he would do so at a mutually convenient time, according to the South Korean agency. Neither side mentioned North Korea in their statements on the meeting. But according to the Chinese foreign ministry, Cho said he looked forward to 'strengthening communication and coordination with China, facing history squarely, and jointly safeguarding regional peace'. Meanwhile, a Pew Research Centre survey released this month indicated that South Koreans continued to view the US significantly more favourably than China. The poll also pointed to less support among respondents for prioritising economic ties with China compared with a similar survey in 2021. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
S'wak to be first state in M'sia to set up dedicated D2EI unit, says Premier
Abang Johari (fifth right), accompanied by other dignitaries, prepares to touch the D2EI Cube as a symbolic gesture to launch the Sarawak Women's Day 2025 celebration. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (Aug 2): Sarawak will be the first state in Malaysia to establish a dedicated Diversity, Equality, Equity and Inclusivity (D2EI) unit under the state Department of Women and Family, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The unit, which adopts the D2EI theme of Sarawak's Women's Day 2025, embodies the state's commitment to a people-centred development approach that upholds fairness in diversity regardless of geography, gender, ethnicity, religion or ability. At the Sarawak Women's Day 2025 celebration held at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today, Abang Johari said the state government intends to strengthen women's involvement in high-growth sectors. 'This includes support in the form of economic grants, digital entrepreneurship training and start-up assistance. We have grants from the government and the state holds some influence in Affin Bank as a major stakeholder. 'We have asked the bank to assist us in investment-related efforts, including lifelong learning opportunities. This will certainly empower women more comprehensively in line with the D2EI values,' he said. He added the D2EI principles align with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, which also emphasises inclusivity, and believed these values could help raise household income and reduce poverty across the state over time. Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said her ministry is working with key organisations including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the 30% Club, and the Asian Women Leadership University College (AWLUC) to further strengthen the direction and implementation of the D2EI initiative. In this regard, she said the ministry is seeking support and sponsorship from the Sarawak government to fund studies for selected individuals to pursue the Master of Arts in Leadership Development programme at AWLUC, which costs RM105,000 in total (RM35,000 per student for the entire duration). Abang Johari approved the request, stating that the funding would be disbursed through Yayasan Sarawak. Also present were deputy premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and Sarawak State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. Abang Johari D2EI diversity equality equity inclusivity
