Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah speaking to reporters in Kuching on Wednesday (April 17). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Facilities at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) need to be improved to serve passengers better, says state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He called on Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to look into upgrading the airport, including providing toilets and food and beverage kiosks for international departures.
"The domestic side is alright, but we are not really taking care of international travellers. If you are departing internationally to Singapore, the departure hall does not have toilets and there is no place to go for a drink.
"I would love to see the airport being upgraded and I want to see that this message gets to MAHB," he told reporters on Wednesday (April 17).
Abdul Karim said MAHB should not focus only on KL International Airport (KLIA) as it is not the sole entry point for tourists into Malaysia.
"There are so many entry points and KIA is one of them. Being the minister of tourism, I want to see a better entry point.
"Personally, I see that our airport has much to be desired. It's not really up to the mark, whether in terms of the toilets or the service," he said.
Abdul Karim also said there was a need for KIA to be eventually upgraded to be bigger to cater for more passengers.
"But until we reach that stage, there's nothing wrong in making sure that the facilities available are up to the mark," he added.
