Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urged Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha to take immediate action on Penang International Airport, which he described as "in a state of distress".

NONE In an official letter to Kong, Lim claimed that airport terminal is flooded up to one inch in water whenever it rains, as a result of a defective RM250 million expansion project, which is currently behind schedule.

"I am sure YB Minister will agree that it is an extreme embarrassment to the country to have one inch of water floating inside the terminal of an international airport.

"As the airport is the first impression people get of Penang and in many cases, of Malaysia, I strongly urge YB Minister to intervene directly to resolve this problem," Lim stated in the letter.

He also attached several photographs with the letter, showing the situation at the airport.

Lim said the works being carried out were "defective", resulting in not only leakages but also flooding.

Come see for yourself, minister told

"Whenever it rains, it will flood not only outside but up to one inch inside the airport terminal," said Lim.

"This problem is causing massive disturbance and inconvenience to countless airport users, affecting not only their travel convenience but also damaging their luggage."

NONE Lim said the "shameful situation" was extremely serious and revealed a systemic failure in the whole project.

It was therefore imperative that Kong takes immediate action.

Lim invited the minister to see for himself the "sad and shameful" state of affairs at the  airport.

The expansion works involve three main packages - upgrading the main infrastructure, utility and related buildings (package one); main terminal building (package two) and air-side area facilities (package three).