Gerakan has urged Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to confirm a report stating that Penang will close the international airport in Bayan Lepas and build a new Northern Region International Airport in Seberang Perai Selatan.

Oh Tong Keong, the Gerakan deputy president, said that if the report is true, Chow should opt to defend the "historic and meaningful" Bayan Lepas airport instead.

"Chow should strive to expand the airport instead of building a new international airport on the borders of Perak and Penang," he said in a statement.

The Star reported today that two companies have proposed building a new airport in two different locations in southern Seberang Perai on mainland Penang.

One proposal – called the North Malaysia International Airport (NMIA) – involves acquiring thousands of hectares of padi land, while another – the Northern Region International Airport (Noria) – entails reclaiming 5,000ha off the coast of south Seberang Perai.

Both proposed locations are within 10km of each other.

Oh expressed surprise at the proposals, asking if the economic development of Penang will be affected.

"In particular, it will lead to the fall of the Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) in Bayan Lepas. Chow must answer these questions clearly," he said.

Oh recalled that the late Penang chief minister Lim Chong Eu had built the FIZ and airport in Bayan Lepas to improve the logistics in the industrial zone.

"This factor has also made the FIZ prosper for more than 40 years.

"Penang Gerakan is very worried that once the Penang International Airport is closed, it will be the beginning of the fall of the FIZ.

"This will form a serious blow to the Penang economy," he added.

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