Lee: Sarawak to cooperate with federal Transport Ministry, MAHB on Miri Airport expansion

MIRI (Sept 29): The Sarawak Transport Ministry will fully cooperate with the federal Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to expedite the Miri Airport expansion project, said Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

The state Transport Minister said that the long-awaited project has finally been approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who made the announcement during the state banquet at a leading hotel in Miri last night.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for last night’s announcement to approve the expansion and upgrading of Miri Airport terminal,” he told a press conference at Miri Airport after sending off Anwar, who left Miri for Kapit earlier today.

Lee explained that he, along with the Sarawak’s Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had previously discussed the project with Anwar, emphasising the need to expand the terminal and facilities at Miri Airport.

He noted that the Miri Airport currently has a capacity of two million passengers annually, but since 2019, the airport has been receiving more than its capacity. In 2019, Lee revealed that Miri Airport saw nearly 2.5 million passengers.

“The current airport can no longer meet the needs, which is why we have been calling for this expansion since 2017,” he said, adding that upon completion of the project, Miri Airport will be capable of receiving up to four million passengers annually.

When asked about the cost the expansion and upgrading project, Lee said that the amount submitted by MAHB was RM150 million. He said the project is expected to kick off next year and is estimated to take two years to complete.

“This expansion is crucial in view of Miri’s status as a resort city. In addition, we also look into the needs to add direct international flights to Miri.

“With the recent announcement of Gua Niah as one of Unesco World Heritage Site, it is high time that we expand our airport and get more international flights to Miri,” he said.

At present, there is only one international flight to Miri which is from Singapore.

Lee mentioned that he had recently met with several airline companies in China where he proposed Miri as one of the direct flight destinations from China.

Also present at the press conference was councillor Jeffery Phang.