Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein ( below ) assured today that KLIA2 will open as scheduled on May 2, dismissing a newspaper report that there were serious doubts on the opening date of Asia's biggest low-cost air terminal.

He said the delay to obtain the certificate of completion and compliance (CCC) would not defer the opening of the low-cost carrier terminal.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd said yesterday that it has not received the CCC for the KLIA2 terminal building from the main contractor, UEMC-Bina Puri.

KLIA2 has missed several deadlines for its opening, with the last one scheduled for April 30 before being moved to May 2.

Hishammuddin said the government would not entertain any request to postpone the opening and that spotchecks would continue to be conducted.

Focus would be placed on issues that are preventing the KLIA2 from being opened as scheduled.

"If there are any quarters who deliberately try to obstruct our plans, I will not hesitate to take action," he told a press conference today.

Asked if KLIA2 was ready to undergo operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT), as required three months ahead of the opening, Hishammuddin said it can be carried out immediately.

"ORAT can take place now but this does not apply to CCC, in fact the testing on the baggage system has to be done... instead we are looking at ORAT, certificate and so on, to me the bigger picture is by May 2, KLIA2 will begin operations," he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi said the low-cost air terminal was almost ready.

"Only the fire and safety requirement system needs to be modified.

"When the Fire and Rescue Department officials inspected the terminal last week, they asked for some modification, that's all.. but the terminal can run smoothly on the ORAT.

"CCC will be issued after a minor rectification to the fire door that is being installed, they just want to change the fire door only," said Ab Aziz, adding that the installation would be completed by month-end.

He said cracks in a sewerage pipe outside the terminal and parts of a road and drainage that were found not fit for use would not delay obtaining the CCC.

"We will fix it, but then it has nothing to do with ORAT because it only involves the terminal," he added.

- Bernama