Perak awaits approval for Seri Iskandar International Airport

The Perak government is in the final stages of its proposal for the construction of an international airport in Seri Iskandar, pending approval from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, the Menteri Besar of Perak, emphasised the importance of this initiative for the country’s aviation future. The state government has presented the proposal to the federal government and is awaiting their decision.

Earlier this year, the state and federal governments reached a preliminary agreement on the project, set to occupy a 1,618.74-hectare plot of land. The assessment of this project was conducted by Colebrand International Limited, a UK-based infrastructure engineering firm.

Substantial boost to the economic spillover

Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad noted that the need for a new airport in Perak is paramount to drive economic growth in the state. This project aims to provide a substantial boost to the economic spillover in the region.

The proposed airport, situated near Felcra Nasaruddin, covers an area of 1,618 hectares and will not have any negative impact on the existing Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh. Instead, it will complement the existing infrastructure.

The infrastructure engineering firm Colebrand International Limited has carried out preliminary assessments for the proposed airport. The feedback from this company, which specialises in major infrastructure construction, will play a crucial role in shaping the project.

The new airport site, when compared to the previously suggested location, offers the advantage of being free from encroachments and other challenges that could burden the state government.

Economic growth and sustainable development

The new international airport project in Seri Iskandar will be executed in two phases, according to Colebrand International Limited’s general manager, Farid Idrus. The specific details, including the project timeline and facilities, will be thoroughly examined. The project’s scope and objectives have generated significant interest and feedback from various stakeholders.

The land for the airport project is partly owned by Felcra, the State Secretary of the Corporation, and the Perak government. This collaboration ensures that the project can proceed without complications related to land acquisition and encroachments.

The chosen site near Felcra Nasaruddin offers the advantage of not involving any illegal encroachments, villages, or cemeteries, streamlining the development process.

The state government has expressed optimism that the international airport project will receive the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance. This project aligns with the state’s vision for economic growth and sustainable development, ensuring that it complements rather than competes with existing airports in the state and across the nation.

The new airport will not compete with existing facilities but rather complement them, ensuring that it supports the state’s economic objectives while providing a welcome addition to the nation’s aviation infrastructure.