IPOH: Efforts to upgrade the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here will begin shortly after the budget allocation is approved next year, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
The Mentri Besar said during the tabling of the Budget 2020 recently, the government had allocated RM150mil for the upgrade.
“I believe that once it is approved next year, we can start the discussions on the process of land acquisition and others,” he told reporters after attending the Ipoh Car Free Day programme at Jalan Raja Dihilir yesterday.
Asked whether the project would affect the surrounding population, Ahmad Faizal said it was likely because the proposed runway would be extended to about 500m.
“The previous plan was to extend the runway, making it a 2.5km stretch to accommodate larger-sized aircraft.
“With the expansion, there are many more routes that we can open, especially to southern India, as well as cities in southern China,” he said.
Commenting on the preparations to make Pangkor Island a duty-free island starting Jan 1 next year, Ahmad Faizal said the state government, through the Manjung Municipal Council, was in talks with several businessmen to open duty-free outlets on the island.
“I hope that from Jan 1, people will be able to buy duty-free goods on the island.
“To date, the state government has allocated RM5mil to beautify pedestrian walkways and surroundings.
“In addition, we are also working closely with the private sector to improve facilities there, including providing more accommodation,” he said.
He said through discussions with the Finance Ministry, alcohol would be excluded from duty-free items but there was a possibility that cigarettes would be included. — Bernama
The Mentri Besar said during the tabling of the Budget 2020 recently, the government had allocated RM150mil for the upgrade.
“I believe that once it is approved next year, we can start the discussions on the process of land acquisition and others,” he told reporters after attending the Ipoh Car Free Day programme at Jalan Raja Dihilir yesterday.
Asked whether the project would affect the surrounding population, Ahmad Faizal said it was likely because the proposed runway would be extended to about 500m.
“The previous plan was to extend the runway, making it a 2.5km stretch to accommodate larger-sized aircraft.
“With the expansion, there are many more routes that we can open, especially to southern India, as well as cities in southern China,” he said.
Commenting on the preparations to make Pangkor Island a duty-free island starting Jan 1 next year, Ahmad Faizal said the state government, through the Manjung Municipal Council, was in talks with several businessmen to open duty-free outlets on the island.
“I hope that from Jan 1, people will be able to buy duty-free goods on the island.
“To date, the state government has allocated RM5mil to beautify pedestrian walkways and surroundings.
“In addition, we are also working closely with the private sector to improve facilities there, including providing more accommodation,” he said.
He said through discussions with the Finance Ministry, alcohol would be excluded from duty-free items but there was a possibility that cigarettes would be included. — Bernama
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