Tioman to get new airport soon

PULAU TIOMAN: Construction of a new airport here is expected to begin at the end of the year, Second Finance Minister Datuk Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said. 

He said the airport, which would cost about RM500mil, would be built in Kampung Paya – 10 minutes by boat from the Berjaya Resort jetty. 

The new airport was to replace the present facility in Kampung Tekek, and it is to be built on reclaimed land at the beach, he said. 

“The project is now at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage, which is to ensure that the surroundings which contain corals and marine life are not adversely affected. 

“The EIA report is expected to be ready in a few months and if everything goes as planned, the construction of the new airport will start by the end of the year,” Dr Jamaludin said after opening the Customs Department office building here on Thursday night. 

He said the present project cost was cheaper compared to an earlier plan to build the new airport in the village. 

Had the airport been built on normal land, the developers would have no choice but to level hills, destroy rock formations and cut down trees. 

“With the construction of the new Tioman island airport, bigger aircraft such as the Boeing 737 can land, and it can help improve the tourism industry,” he added. 

Dr Jamaludin said expansion work on the present airport in Kampung Tekek could not be carried out due to lack of space. 

He also said a marina would be built in the village to enable boats from Singapore and Thailand to berth at the island. 

“The Government is focusing its efforts on developing Tioman as a top tourist destination, and it has taken into account the natural beauty, and it is regarded as one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world,” he said.