MCA 'bewildered' over federal govt's decision to build international airport in Kulim

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has expressed bewilderment at the federal government’s decision to spend RM1.6bil to set up an international airport in Kulim, Kedah.  

Party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong described the decision as “a classic case of political consideration over economic principles".  

He said the distance between the Penang International Airport and Kulim was a mere 46km apart, adding that the travelling time was only about an hour.

“We are told that the government has no money but yet it is prepared to spend RM1.6bil to build an international airport in Kulim. It is set to be a white elephant because most international flights will fly to Penang and not Kulim.  

“The traffic volume does not justify the setting-up of this airport,” he said.  

Dr Wee said the Penang international airport was literally “bursting out of its seams” but the federal government has chosen to ignore the appeal by the state government.  

He said despite the stand taken by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeoh, it “appears that the PM prefers to listen to his son, the MB".  

Dr Wee said what was initially planned as a cargo airport in Kulim would now be a full-fledged international airport.  

“The DAP state government owes  a lot of explanation to Penangites and at the same time, the federal government should stop telling us it has no money,” he added.