Written by: Averroes
(1.0) Introduction
In Kedah, the Kulim International Airport (KXP) was planned. It will rely on heavy passenger traffic, however statements made before claims it is supposed to be a cargo airport instead. If the plan is successful, then KXP will begin operations by 2026. (It is highly suggested to be a passenger airport instead).
The airport would be built in the Malaysian State of Kedah, Kulim City, which borders Penang State. Currently, Kedah already has other airports including Alor Setar and Langkawi International Airport. The expanse of the site is 1700ha once completed.
The reason for KXP is to accommodate excessive numbers of passengers from the Penang International Airport (PIA) which will exceed 12 million passengers per annum (mppa) by 2026. The maximum threshold for PIA is 6.5mmpa, which has gone overboard by 8.3 mppa in 2019.
The Kedah State Government entered into a joint-venture agreement (JVA) with ECK Development Sdn Bhd for the development of KXP. From here, 80% of the project will be owned by ECK Development and the remaining 20% by the KXP AirPortCity Holdings Sdn Bhd (subsidiary of the Kedah State Development Corporation).
(1.1) Statistics
In development toward the KXP, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report is available for public viewing. The consultant projects of the EIA proffer that the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) that encompasses Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak will rise up to;
i) 15.2 mppa in 2034 and
ii) 31 mppa in 2054.
In 2026, when 'KXP is open for operation', there would be 800,000 the first year, followed by;
i) 1.4 mppa in 2028,
ii) 9.1 mppa in 2044 and;
iii) 16.2 mppa in 2054 as according to the EIA report suggests.
Though, generally it is also suggested that KXP would be a regional hub to transport pilgrims to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina with around 15 million passengers mppa.
The prediction for cargo traffic in KXP is 10% from PIA's current capacity which us 300,000 tonnes. It is expected that 34,124 tonnes of cargo will pass in KXP as by 2054.
However, all of these statistics were based on mere calculations and mathematical predictions, assuming that PIA has not expanded their capacity over 12 mppa, as well as expansions in Alor Setar and Ipoh.
(1.2) Benefits of KXP
The airport itself is pricey, ranging around RM6 billion in the first phase, including land acquisition. After considerations from the Federal Government, the project is now underway. KXP once completed would provide 20,000 jobs available for locals, increase the gross development product (GDP) by 7.5% and derivation of gross income of RM1.18 billion by 2026.
In effect, a transport system would also be constructed with a new highway and a new rail link. It would also have the ability to integrate sea-air-surface transport modes, within close proximity to Penang Port at half the cost.
As a result, it will become an aerotropolis subregion with infrastrucutre, land use and economy centralised around an airport. The Kedah aerotropolis' lungs are focused at the Mukim Sidam Kiri of the Muda District. Penang would then have a healthy competitor.
They would highly contribute to the NCER's and Southern Thailand economy, the growth of e-commerce and the accelaration of high-tech industries such as maintenance, repair and operating supplies (MRO).
(2.0) Penang International Airport and Political Criticisms
The Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) announced that they are planning to expand PIA's capacity to; (the plans for finalisation is pending as awaiting for the National Airport Strategic Plan, NASP).
i) 12 mppa by 2028 and;
ii) 16 mppa by 2033.
iii) 25 mppa by 2051
The Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, Dr. P. Ramasamy commented the viability of KXP after the signing of the JVA, especially during the covid-19 pandemic. He added further that, it is not that KXP is important, but not a priority as people are suffering from the pandemic. Rather, focus primarily on returning back to normalcy.
He states that, the KXP should disclose information to the public on what basis ECK Development Sdn Bhd was selected, either through ipen tender or through a request for proposal (RFP). This may be implied to mean that there should be transparency in the project and on what reasons as to the group was elected to hold 80% of the ownership to KXP.
Moreover, Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee Chairman, Zairil Khir Johari also commented that a large-scale study must be made, before the KXP is built. He added that expansions in Penang must be done first, before KXP proceeds. He asserted these, based on the NASP that any upgrades or new airports are to be postponed until a study is completed in 2023.
(3.0) Environmental Criticisms
The sewage system of the airport could have an impact on health, the public and the environment, as the sewage treatment would be discharged into Sungai Muda. However, 80% of Penang's water supply derives from Sungai Muda.
Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa, CEO of Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) clarified that KXP should be built farther from Sungai Muda. Also, Sungai Jerong, a small tributary of Sungai Muda would also be affected.
To allay these concerns, the EIA report did remark that the project will develope a sewage treatment plant for 30 years and it will be built on a modular basis, based on a population of 50,000 population equivalent (PE) capacity.
Though, if one day the plant reaches 500,000 PE, Water Watch Penang president Professor Dr. Ng Chai Weng, geography professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) commented that reaching 450,000 PE is risky, added the possibility of malfunction and breakdown of the sewage treatment plant.
(4.0) Conclusion
To conclude, there is a battle between the States of Kedah and Penang on who shall become airport victors of the day. Also, there are also transparency and environmental concerns regarding the EIA report and JVA.
However, whatever the outcome, the author hopes that NCER, including Kedah would become an aerotropilis that is able to rival and become a regional hub for air transportation, improve Malaysia's economy and challenge other nations healthily to be a developed nation soon.
According to the World Bank, Malaysia is likely to become a high income economy between 2024-2028. Malaysia's GNI per capita is at US$11,200, which is lacking US$1,335 (US$12,535 target) to become a high-income economy. Though, the issues of the B40 still needs to be addressed, improve our education and curb corruption. This is aligned with the 12th Malaysia Plan.
(5.0) References;
Lim, R. (August, 2021) Kulim airport to focus on passengers. Retrieved from, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/23/kulim-airport-to-focus-on-passengers
Nation. (August, 2021) Concerns raised over EIA report on airport project. Retrieved from, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/31/concerns-raised-over-eia-report-on-airport-project
Centre for Aviation. (CAPA). Retrieved from, https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/newairports/kulim-airport
Audrey Dermawan. (August, 2021) Penang DCM: What is the need for Kulim Airport during this pandemic? Retrieved from, https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/714473/penang-dcm-what-need-kulim-airport-during-pandemic
NCER Malaysia. (n.d) Strategic Infrastructure: Kedah Aerotropolis. Retrieved from, https://www.ncer.com.my/strategic-projects-programmes/strategic-infrastructure/kedah-aerotropolis/
FMT Reporters. (September, 2021) Why Kulim airport when major study not ready, asks Penang. Retrieved from, https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/09/02/why-kulim-airport-when-major-study-not-ready-asks-penang/
The World Bank. (March, 2021) Malaysia to Achieve High Income Status Between 2024 and 2028, but Needs to Improve the Quality, Inclusiveness, and Sustainability of Economic Growth to Remain Competitive. Retrieved from, https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/03/16/aiminghighmalaysia
Manokaran Mottain. (May, 2021) Malaysia on track to achieve high-income nation status. Retrieved from, https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/05/22/malaysia-on-track-to-achieve-high-income-nation-status
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