Task force to be set up to discuss proposed KXP project in Kedah, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: A task force will be set up to further discuss the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP) project in Kedah, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

"The Transport Ministry will set up the task force comprising KXP Airport City Holdings and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) to hold further discussions on the KXP proposal," Dr Wee said in a Facebook post on Friday (Aug 21).

He said a strategic masterplan is needed to ensure sufficient cargo and passenger load so that the proposed KXP project does not end up wasted or unprofitable.

He assured that the ministry will continue with in depth discussions and evaluation in a professional manner before coming to a final decision on the matter.

"Whatever proposal to develop a new airport needs to be tabled before the National Physical Planning Council chaired by the Prime Minister for consideration in the coming meeting," Dr Wee added.

Apart from this, he said that the ministry will go ahead with the study on the National Airports Strategic Plan (NASP) as scheduled.

Dr Wee said this after receiving a courtesy call from the Kedah state government delegation headed by Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor at his office in Putrajaya earlier on Friday.

He said he was briefed on the proposed KXP project which is located next to Taman Sidam Kiri near Bandar Puteri Jaya in Sungai Petani.

According to Dr Wee, Muhammad Sanusi said the state intends to speed up the project, subject to the study by the NASP, which will be implemented by the ministry.

Also accompanying the delegation were Kedah state secretary Datuk Ammar Shaikh Mahmood Naim, Bandar Baharu state assemblyman Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor, NCIA chief executive Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace and KXP Airport Holdings chief executive officer Datuk Dr Annuar Mohd Saffar.