BY AINI SELIKANG
SIBU: Construction work on a new airport in Bukit Mabong, Kapit is expected to commence next year.
The Bukit Mabong airport, which will operate as a Rural Air Services (RAS) route under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.
Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi said that thus far, survey works, drawings, and tender for the project had been completed.
“This project will complement the communication access that is being actively built by the government for the residents of Kapit,” he said during his session on ‘Strategic Sharing: Roads in Sarawak and New Airport in Bukit Mabong, Kapit’ at the PBB central zone mini convention here on Saturday.
The construction of the RM173.5 million Bukit Mabong airport for passenger and cargo aircrafts will take 36 months to complete.
Julaihi said that the provision of facilities showed the commitment of the GPS state government to transform the economy, aside from building a network of communication and air services security in the rural areas.
The airport with a 790-metre runway can accommodate twin otter type passenger aircraft as well as Cessna 208 aircraft.
“The construction of a road from Sibu to Kapit proves that the government is always striving to provide the best facilities for the people. The same goes for the construction of the Baleh Dam and other projects.
“All these projects cost a lot of money, so we really need the support and cooperation of the people so that the implementation runs smoothly,” said Julaihi.
