SEBERANG PERAI, February 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for the acceleration of funding approval for the expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA), citing the urgent need to address congestion at the airport. Speaking at the Penang Strengthening Connectivity and Entrepreneurial Development Carnival at Politeknik Seberang Prai, Anwar expressed dissatisfaction with the projected timeline for the commencement of the airport expansion project, which is slated for the end of this year according to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Anwar emphasized the importance of expediting the funding process to ensure that the project can begin promptly, considering that it is expected to take two to three years to complete. Last October, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the government’s approval of RM93 million for land acquisition and infrastructure development for the PIA expansion. The project, aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity from 6.5 million to 12 million passengers annually, is scheduled to commence in September this year, with a projected completion timeline of 48 months. Anwar’s directive to hasten the funding approval underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity to support economic development in Penang and bolster tourism in the region.
