Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should put aside his “personal interests” and expedite the approval for the construction of the Kulim International Airport (KXP), said Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

According to the Kedah menteri besar, he has been doing all he can to realise the project, which is located within the Kedah Aerotropolis township.

“Those stopping (the project from happening) should put aside their personal differences.

“If he (Anwar) insists that he has no personal interests in the matter, then he should approve the project,” said the PAS lawmaker as quoted by Harakahdaily.

He was speaking to reporters at Wisma Darul Aman in Alor Setar, yesterday evening.

Sanusi noted that the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) previously stipulated that the approval for KXP can only be done after the National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP) is completed.

“However, before the NASP was completed, he (Anwar) announced upgrades to the Penang International Airport and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.

“Why can the two airports be exempted from the NASP, but KXP can’t?” he asked, adding that his state government has submitted relevant data on the proposed airport to the Transport Ministry.

He further alleged that Kedah was being “sidelined” while Penang and Subang (in Selangor) are prioritised due to Anwar’s “political interests” in the latter two states.

In March, Transport Minister Anthony Loke denied the government rejected the proposed KXP development.

At the time, he said a NASP study of the project had yet to be finalised.

The same month, the Kedah government also appealed to Putrajaya to allow it to carry out land acquisition to build the proposed airport terminal.

Kedah PAS wing: Anwar a failed PM, 'disturbed' over Sanusi

Kedah PAS wing: Anwar a failed PM, 'disturbed' over Sanusi

Ending poverty: Sanusi accuses PM of ‘using’ the poor, says he’s all talk

Ending poverty: Sanusi accuses PM of ‘using’ the poor, says he’s all talk

Study on Kulim International Airport proposal not finalised - Loke

Study on Kulim International Airport proposal not finalised - Loke

Kedah appeals to Putrajaya over Kulim airport project approval

Kedah appeals to Putrajaya over Kulim airport project approval

PM has royal audience after Kedah ruler speaks up on Kulim airport

PM has royal audience after Kedah ruler speaks up on Kulim airport

Kedah MB: State govt can choose different Kulim airport developer if needed

Kedah MB: State govt can choose different Kulim airport developer if needed