MUKAH: Tellian Assemblyman, Yussibnosh Balo thanked the Federal government for allocating RM42 million for the new Mukah Airport which will be completed and ready for use in 2018 in linewith the National Budget 2016, which emphasises a balance between capital economy and people economy.
“On the completion of this airport later, it will help to boost economic activities in Mukah and expand the mobilisation of people and businesses in the division. Flying using Twin Otter aircraft presently is very limited and depending a lot on the weather conditions for flights from Sibu Airport,” said Yussibnosh.
He added that using the roads would take two to three hours and highly uneconomical because there is no public transport such as taxis and buses from Sibu Airport to Mukah and vice versa.
According to him, with the new Mukah Airport the people hope that it would provide an opportunity for local Bumiputera to do business. When such opportunities are open, local products either in the form of food or handicrafts can be distributed more quickly and efficiently. In addition it can also open up opportunities for local tourism players to expand their business as tourism is being developed in Mukah and Balingian.
During the recent closing ceremony of Mukah Kaul Festival, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg announced in front of more than 5,000 people that the new Mukah Airport will be completed in 2018.
According to Abang Johari, Mukah plans to be known as a ‘Smart City’ with the completion of educational centres and institutions of higher learning and many more being developed, requires a transportation system which is more efficient.
Yussibnosh also requested the recruitment of technical staff should be preferred.
“I appeal to the State Secretary to create the post of technician to be placed in each Division Resident Office so that it does not rely on other departments,” he said.
