Tawau Airport approved for upgrade - Phoong

25 August 2024

KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Cabinet had specially approved the plan to upgrade Tawau Airport's facilities, and that the project has began the tender process a few weeks ago.

Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah (MIDE) shared this during the 30th-anniversary celebration and the swearing-in ceremony of the 14th Central Committee and various committees of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).

He was responponding Tan Sri TC Goh the FCAS President 's concerns about the chaotic and unpleasant situation at Tawau Airport.

Phoong said that following his direct phone call to the Federal Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, he was informed that the Federal Cabinet had approved the plan to upgrade Tawau Airport's facilities, and that the project has began the tender process a few weeks ago.

He said that the Ministry of Transport is striving to implement the project by the end of this year.

He added that the Federal Government will also allocate funds for the upgrading and enhancement of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).

He noted that domestic tourism, including in Sabah, has returned to pre-pandemic levels or even better, following the implementation of visa-free travel agreement between Malaysia and China, a few months ago.

Phoong also mentioned that, thanks to government efforts, the congestion issues at the state’s ports have been resolved.