Perak discussing need for new airport

IPOH: The possibility of a new airport for Perak is being discussed by the state government and Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he would make an announcement when a decision was reached on the matter.

He said Sultan Azlan Shah Airport could not be extended any further due to limited land in the area.

He said the runway was extended a few years ago and that was the maximum limit.

“If we want a bigger airport, there is no other choice but to look for a new place. We are looking at several possibilities,” he said.

Several discussions with the EPU had taken place, he told a press conference at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Perak Companies Commission of Malaysia’s (SSM) new building yesterday.

On another matter, Dr Zambry said the state government had lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to investigate an SMS claiming the state was handing out BR1PK (Bonus Rakyat 1Perak Ku).

He said many had been calling up to ask if it was true that the state government was handing out such a bonus to people of the state.

“I hope the culprits can be arrested soonest, as such messages can make the people angry and create hatred towards the state government,” he said.

This was likely propaganda by certain groups and people should not believe the SMS, he added.

The SMS claimed that a bonus of RM750 each would be given to all Perakians aged between 16 and 55.

But when people clicked on a link in the message, a photo of an unknown person appears with the caption, “Yes, Kena Tipu, Haha (Yes, You have been tricked, Haha).”

At the ceremony, Dr Zambry said the SSM must assist small and medium enterprises so that the state economy would get a boost.

He added that the commission had a big role to play in getting such enterprises to grow.