New airport for Tioman Island?

By Sharen Kaur

  Is there a new airport coming up or no in Tioman Island?

Tioman Island may require a new airport to boost tourism (file pic)

   Well, according to the transport ministry (MoT), a decision had yet to be made on constructing a new airport on the island.
  The MOT said in a statement that the proposal (to build the airport) must be presented to the National Physical Planning Council, before the ministry gives it due consideration.

   The statement came after a Malay-language daily reported Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail saying that the cabinet had approved the construction of a new airport on Tioman Island, and that the project was expected to commence soon.

  Wan Rosdy reportedly said the project would be undertaken by the private sector, together with the Pahang state government, and that only the project’s cost had yet to be finalised.
  A plan to build a new airport near the western coast of Tioman was mooted in 2003. Construction was scheduled to commence in 2004, on reclaimed land off the coast of the village of Kampung Paya.
  However, in 2009 then transport minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat called off the project, citing potential environmental impacts, in particular damage to coral reefs and marine life.

  There was also strong protests in Kampung Paya and two neighbouring villages: Kampung Genting and Kampung Mukut.
  In June 2018, Berjaya Group executive chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan announced that the group planned to build an airport on the island, which would cost RM1.2 billion. The aim is to boost tourism.
  However, the airport plan raised environmental concerns and fear that there will be further development of resorts and infrastructure, which could cause additional damage to the island’s fragile ecosystems, both on land and underwater.

  On 21st October 2018 close to 100 villagers, NGO members, divers and tourism resort operators, staged a protest against the proposed airport development.
  A few suggestions by the residents include ugrading the existing airport at Kampung Tekek, lengthening the runway to accommodate larger aircraft, and upgrading the jetty to enable an increase in visitors arrival by boat.


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