‘No cost overruns at KLIA2’

At The DEWAN RAKYAT

KLIA2 did not experience cost overruns although costs had ballooned from RM1.7bil to RM4bil, the Transport Ministry said.

In a written reply to Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz (DAP-Raub), the ministry said the project never experienced cost overruns.

“The reason is due to the new design for KLIA2, and the needs of the airlines and the Government.”

In his question, Ariff asked the ministry what action was taken against the contractor who was responsible for the project delay.

The ministry replied that MAHB was discussing with the main contractor JV UEM-Binapura on the amount that it would have to pay.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had slammed Malaysia Air­ports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for not giving priority to the needs of the low-cost airline industry, which might have led to an increase in operating costs for budget airlines.

In its report, the PAC had found that the KLIA2 project did not follow its original concept as a replacement for the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and ended up being a hybrid concept terminal following un­­expected cost increases and upgrades.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said travellers at KLIA2 had expressed satisfaction on airport services.

According to a customer satisfaction survey, they gave the airport a score of 4.85 out of 5.

The survey was jointly carried out by Airport Council International and MAHB.

He added that a total of 24 million passengers had used KLIA2 since it was opened.

“The score shows that passengers are very satisfied with the facilities and services provided,” he told Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad (PAS-Kuala Terengganu), who asked why the airport required numerous improvements even after its construction cost increased to RM4bil.

Ab Aziz said that after KLIA2 was completed, there was a defect liabi­lity period, during which the contractor was responsible for carrying out repair works, if any.