GEORGE TOWN – Penang needs to consider shutting down its international airport in Bayan Lepas to allow the proposed Kulim International Airport to assume its role as the air gateway into the northern region, said a former PKR member.
This is because the state’s future regional growth is more likely to be in Seberang Prai and the hinterlands of Kedah and Perak on the mainland, said Afif Bahardin, a former Penang state executive councillor.
Afif, who defected to join Bersatu in June last year, said that Penang Island is facing an acute shortage of land, and extending land through reclamation may be ill-conceived due to its adverse hydrologic effect on the coastline and climate change.
“It has been proven that sand erosion has set in due to previous reclamation projects. Furthermore, there is also a property glut on the island,” said Afif.
The island should be allowed to focus on its existing conservation and preservation efforts in line with its World Heritage Site status – an international accolade the state should try to consolidate instead of neglecting, he said.
Afif added that the state also needs to create more jobs for the youth.
“We do not want to see an exodus of youth. This would make the brain-drain worse,” he said.
Chipping in on the debate on building a new airport in Kedah instead of upgrading the existing one in Penang, Afif said that the latter could be converted into an industrial park.
Penang’s airport is in Bayan Lepas, whereas the proposed new airport site is at Sidam Kiri in Kulim. The distance between both sites is about 60km.
Some elected representatives are open to a new airport, while others fear that it would erode the economic strengths of Penang if its airport’s role is diminished.
Afif also said that there is a renewed focus on the mainland now because of what Covid-19 has done to the economy.
“We need fast-tracked projects that can bring speedy returns and create more jobs to retain young talent in Penang,” he said.
Afif said the mainland brings new hope and development for the state, so it is best to focus more projects on the localities here. – The Vibes, August 4, 2021
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