New Airport and Seaport for Sarawak

KUCHING: Sarawak will embark on two mega infrastructure projects – a new international airport and deep-sea port in Kuching – to fulfil its vision to become a regional aviation and sea hubs.

The state government and private sector are expected to invest some RM100bil over the next five to 10 years to fund the two projects, according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Describing the new airport and deep-sea port projects as “massive” in scale, he said the two projects, together with other large and strategic projects in the offing, are designed to propel Sarawak to become a new economic force in Asia.

“We will build the new, seamless airport with our own state funds as we need to expedite its implementation.

“I am confident that the proposed new international airport in Kuching will add another x-factor to the ecosystem that would make Sarawak attractive to businesses, investment and visitors,” Abang Johari said in his Christmas message.

He had said recently that Sarawak might work together with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd on the new airport project, depending on capital capability.

“The construction of the new airport would make the role of our new airline, upon the take-over of MASwings, becomes more apparent as our regional carrier to connect Sarawak with regional and other destinations.

“While acknowledging that an airline is not an easy venture to manage, we have no choice but to invest in the new airline in order to suit our purpose with our own business model.

“Hoping for existing airlines to accommodate our needs is not an option for us if Sarawak wants to be a well-sought destination for tourists and business people alike,” added Abang Johari.

The Sarawak government is scheduled to ink a sale-and-purchase agreement with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of MASwings, tomorrow to acquire the airline.

Following the signing, the transfer of ownership from MAG to the Sarawak government is expected to take six to nine months, subject to specific conditions, according to Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin.

Post-acquisition, Lee said the Sarawak government would actively work on transforming MASwings into a regional carrier serving destinations with a four-to-seven hour air travelling range.

The new airport project is currently in the evaluation phase, with a preliminary study underway, according to Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Once the next phase preparations are ready, he said the Sarawak Premier will announce the project site, development cost and other specifics.

Abang Johari had said the new airport will be equipped with latest technology apart from having seamless infrastructure and is expected to have the capacity to serve up to 15 million passengers annually, tripling the current airport terminal’s capacity.

The new airport will also serve as a commercial cargo hub.

Built in 1983, the existing Kuching International Airport has grown and is currently operating beyond its designed capacity.

In 2023, the airport handled about 5.32 million passengers and 45,598 inbound and outbound flights.

In the immediate term, Lee said the Sarawak government had submitted a proposal and seek funding of RM71mil from the federal government to upgrade and enhance the existing facilities of the Kuching International Airport to cater for its continued growth.

On the new deep-sea port project in Tanjong Embang, Gedong, Samarahan Division, Abang Johari said last month that it would be a new smart port, including a state-of-the-art gas terminal, to be built on an artificial island.

Petroliam Nasional Bhd now exports liquified natural gas (LNG) via Bintulu Port, the largest LNG export terminal in East Asia.

Undertaken by state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), the new deep-sea port project is estimated to cost between RM25bil and RM30bil.

“The Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) will see our natural gas being channelled to other parts of the state (beyond Miri in northern Sarawak) in a move to ensure that we can use more of our gas to develop our local economy rather than just having our gas exported to other countries.

“Already, Petros has started to build a RM2bil 500 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant project in Miri to boost power supply in northern Sarawak while pipeline lines are being constructed to supply gas to Samalaju, 70km away from the gas terminal at Tanjung Kidurong in Bintulu.

“The SGR will also eventually see natural gas being channeled to other parts of Sarawak, notably Kuching where there will be another gas terminal at the new proposed deep sea port at Tanjong Embang. Gas will also be distributed for domestic use like what is being enjoyed by users in Miri.

“That is why Sarawak needs to have full control of its gas supply and distribution in order for us to be able to implement programmes to fully benefit the people of Sarawak without much hindrance.

“Sarawak has the lawful rights to control the distribution of its natural gas.” said Abang Johari in his Christmas message.

Under the SGR, Petros will have four gas hubs – Miri, Bintulu, Samalaju and Kuching.

Meanwhile, the federal government is expected to hand over the entire operation of the Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government by 2025.

The process of changing the status of the Bintulu Port from a federal port to a state port is slated to be completed in 2024.

As a state port, Bintulu Port will continue to be Malaysia’s premier LNG port.

Credits: The Star News