Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has been blasted for saying that the federal government led by BN was "vindictive" in not upgrading the Penang International Airport.

Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow said the Pakatan Rakyat government led by DAP clearly does not have a plan for the international airport situated in Bayan Lepas.

"Instead, the state government tried to cover up its weaknesses by politicising this strategic infrastructure," Teng (left ) said in a press conference today.

Lim had said that the federal government was vindictive of Penangites as they had voted in Pakatan as the state government for two terms since 2008.

He added that the BN-led federal government was willing to allocate RM2 billion to build a new International Airport in Kulim but does not want to spend RM600 to upgrade the facility in Penang.

Teng said Lim in saying so was "unethical" as the Kulim airport is in the early stages of proposal, a feasibility study had not been conducted yet and it is far from being approved.

He added that state executive councillor for public works, Lim Hock Seng had said on June 16 that the state government is still pursuing the matter at the federal level.

Hock Seng had said that the state was relying on the expansion plan of the previous administration (under BN) to extend the runway through reclamation but did not seem to realise there was a plan for two runways.

"It clearly shows that there is no proper planning or a long term plan by the present state government for the airport," said Teng.

"When there is an approval by the federal authority for a project planned by the previous administration, they were quick to claim credit," he added.

"When they fail to plan for the state, they blame the federal government for being vindictive," he said.

Teng said Lim's ( right ) request for two runways, cargo hub and MRO hub may  end up as a "white elephant" without proper planning.

Penang airport passenger movement is only 10 percent that of the Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok airports which operate two runways, and the same goes for Heathrow airport, Europe’s busiest.

"The air freight/cargo movement for the Penang International Airport has fallen sharply from 225,992 tonnes per year in 2006 to 153,703 tonnes per year in 2013. How could this justify a second runway?" Teng asked.

Not telling truth charge

Meanwhile, in his last statement, Lim had also claimed that major investment from edible food giant, Wilmar International, US company IHS and a few others justify the need for two runways, giving the impression that the companies have great logistic needs.

Teng said Lim had said so as an attempt to cover up the state government's weakness by not telling the truth.

He claimed that Wilmar International is instead setting up its group global finance and accounting center in Penang, employing 200 people, as announced by their CEO in a statement to the Singapore Exchange on Sept 6, 2013.

IHS, based on his finding, Teng added, is an information provider, so these investments do not need air freight or cargo.

"The state must show that it understands the issue at hand when dealing with the federal government," Teng said.

"If they cannot justify their request due to poor lack of planning, they should not put the blame on the federal government," he added.

"It shows they are merely playing politics."