Why delay the new Lahad Datu airport?

This question was put to the government yesterday by Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) in a statement to Malaysiakini .

"For the benefit of Lahad Datu and its people, the federal government should not delay the construction of Lahad Datu airport any further," said the party’s Silam zone chairperson, Kassim Sulaiman.

He said if projects such as the Iskandar development region in Johor, the upgrading of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and an additional runway for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport were important, Lahad Datu airport should be accorded the same importance.

lajim ukin Kassim was responding to deputy transport minister Lajim Ukin ( left ) who said after opening the upgraded Lahad Datu Airport terminal on Nov 26 that the federal government would give priority to the construction of a new airport in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Kassim said a new Lahad Datu airport would help develop the state’s palm oil industry by making it easier for foreign investors to come to the state.

No better time than the present

"On the tourism sector, Lahad Datu’s Danum Valley is well endowed with tropical flora and fauna. Surely the new airport will also contribute towards boosting tourist arrivals," Kassim added.

Notwithstanding the present shaky economic situation, Kassim said now is a perfect time to build an airport.

"This is because we are now feeling the heat of a global recession whereby there will be a decline in our economic growth that will lead to losses of jobs and rising unemployment, low purchasing power, decrease of household spending in anticipation of difficult times ahead and a decline in capital expenditure by business," he said.

"Therefore, to mitigate the effects of the impending global recession on the people of Lahad Datu, it is crucial that the new Lahad Datu airport project be implemented so that money could be pumped into the economy."