AirAsia’s relocation to KKIA Terminal 1 in final stages – Liow

KOTA KINABALU: AirAsia’s relocation from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) Low Cost Carrier Terminal 2 to KKIA Terminal 1 is in the final stage, said Transport Minister Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai.

“A lot of details have been ironed out and we will need to have a few more meetings to straighten other details. We should be able to finalize it soon,” said the MCA president at the MCA Sabah Chinese New Year open house celebration at Menggatal Community Hall here yesterday.

The relocation is aimed at reducing the congestion within the terminal and the traffic congestion in Tanjung Aru, said Liow.

“We hope we can further improve the situation at the airport and give some comfort and space to the passengers of the low-cost carrier,” he elaborated.

Liow also expressed his confidence that Malaysia will be able to draw in more than two million Chinese tourists, which will be double last year’s numbers, into the country this year.

“I am talking about attracting more airlines into Sabah. I am talking about tourism, which is apparently a big industry in Sabah. We need to increase double fold the number of tourists coming to Sabah, especially tourists from China.

“The state is a very good tourist destination. We are confident we can attract more Chinese tourists to travel into the country and that is the reason behind the government’s free visa fee for entry into Malaysia.

“At the same time, we are also looking into improving the relationship with China in terms of attracting tourists to come to Sabah. I think it is very crucial for Sabah’s tourism,” said the minister.

Liow also reiterated that the federal government is committed to assisting the state government in developing the logistics sector at Sepanggar Port to lower the costs of shipping, which will subsequently lower the cost of goods and standardize the prices between West and East Malaysia.

Also present at the open house were Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R M Jasni and MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Liow also visited the headquarters complex of Road Transport Department at Jalan Bundusan, Penampang yesterday.

Its director, Tuan Haji Mohd Shuhaili bin Mohd Taufek, informed the minister that the headquarters complex is always overcrowded with customers during peak hours.

Liow said that he would study in detai l the various works needed to upgrade the complex.