AIRPORT PLAN MAY HIT AIR POCKET
Land, environment issues likely to scupper proposed RM1.2b project on Pulau Tioman, says Badlisham
BERJAYA Corp Bhd founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s plan to build an airport on Pulau Tioman, Pahang, for RM1.2 billion may have hit a snag.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said yesterday it would not be easy for the Tioman airport project to take off.
He cited land and environmental issues as among those that could scupper Tan’s dream to build the airport and subsequently develop Pulau Tioman, which was once voted among the world’s most beautiful islands.
Badlisham said even MAHB’s previous plans to build an airport on the island had hit a dead end due to environmental concerns.
“We have looked into this before. The government, too, but there is no suitable area to land the aircraft unless there is land reclamation. If land reclamation is required, it will impact the environment.
“Reclamation will spoil the beauty (of the island) and this will not get the authority’s approval,” he said after meeting with the Council of Eminent Persons, here, yesterday.
Badlisham, however, welcomed Tan’s plans.
Tan disclosed his plans last week, saying that the construction of the airport would be financed through Berjaya Group’s internal funds and borrowings.
He also said it was his way of helping the administration under Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the new airport would be built at no cost to the Federal government.
Berjaya Air ceased its services at the airport in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, several years ago.
There are now only chartered flights on 12-seater single-engine planes to the island.