The DAP has asked the transport minister to resign over the delay in upgrading works at the Penang International Airport.

"Renovations have been delayed twice, and now it has left an extremely bad impression on visitors - both local and international - to Penang...

NONE "I have raised this matter with fierce arguments in Parliament and have been told to leave the Dewan. Yet the work is still unfinished," said Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi ( right ) at a press conference in Penang today.

“Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha should be responsible for the delay, and if it cannot be completed as scheduled - by Dec 1- he should resign.”

Ooi said the upgrading work was part of the 2009 economic stimulus programme launched immediately when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took office in April 2009.

RM250 million was allocated for the upgrade of the airport to cater for the increase in visitors to Penang who travelled by air, said Ooi.

He further claimed that Former Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat, in a previous written reply in Parliament, had promised that the airport upgrade would be ready by mid-2010.

"However, up to now, the renovations are yet to be completed. It's really 'Janji Tidak Ditepati’ (promises not fulfilled)," said Ooi, taking a swipe at BN’s slogan.

‘Penalise contractor for delay’

On Nov 20, in a written reply in Parliament to Ooi's question, the transport minister said that airport renovations would be completed by the end of the month.

Ooi, who distributed the reply to reporters, had asked for a deadline and the penalty imposed on the contractor for delaying the work.

NONE The Ministry attributed the delay to the reappointment of a new contractor for the job, as the former had failed to complete the works.

Another reason for the delay was renovation works had to be conducted at night to avoid congestion during working hours as the works were noisy, the minister said.

"There was also the redesigning of the escalator and lift to replace the ramp to ensure the comfort of visitors at the airport," the minister said in the reply.

Ooi refuted claims that renovation works were carried out during the night as “those who frequently use the airport can testify that loud noise could be heard even during the day”.

"As for the redesigning of the escalator and lift, it seems to be an afterthought. Usually, such specifications would be given to the contractor upon starting the job.

"It is negligence on the part of the Transport Ministry not to provide the specifications to the contractor and architect consultant earlier," he added.

‘Fundamental flaws’

Various incidents, which Ooi attributed to "fundamental flaws" have hampered visitors' experience at the airport, such as roof leakages, congestion and poor signage.

NONE He said he, too, has had a negative experience, including “malfunctioning, heavy stench and poor overall cleanliness of airport toilets” and “poor eateries, especially in the domestic (flights) area”.

He called on the public to be the "eyes and ears" to inform the Penang government of the various experiences they face when they visit the airport.

"If work is not completed by Dec 1 - as promised by the Transport Ministry - or there are defects in the upgrading works, please report to anyone of us in the state government including me," Ooi said.

NONE Ooi said state exco in charge of infrastructure Lim Hock Seng ( right ) and exco in charge of tourism Danny Law have been instructed to send an inspection team to the airport on Dec 1 to see whether the Transport Ministry will keep its word.

He added that December is a peak tourism season for Penang and visitors should not have to leave with a “bad impression”.

Meanwhile, Ooi announced two events to be held in Penang, including a public ceramah themed ‘Ubah Sekarang, Bersihkan Malaysia’ (Change now, clean up Malaysia) at the IJM promenade, from 8.30 - 11.00pm on Dec 1.

On Dec 6, from 8.30pm, there will be another forum themed ‘Whistleblowers vs Corruption’ featuring PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli and Batu MP Tian Chua.