Putrajaya has agreed not to proceed with the construction of the new Tioman International Airport, which would involve significant reclamation in Pulau Tioman, according to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister. The decision comes after concerns were raised about the reclamation of marine protected areas, which would lead to the destruction of coral reefs and damage important habitats for marine life. Pulau Tioman is a designated marine park that also features natural rainforests and serves as a home to various wildlife species. The proposed airport, intended to attract more tourists, would have resulted in the deterioration of the island’s natural attractions and unsustainable tourism.
The Ministry, through the Environment Department, recently completed the initial display process for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed airport development. The report was exhibited for public comment from June 21 to July 20, 2023, and a total of 1,412 public comments were received during that period. Following a meeting of the EIA Technical Committee, it was determined that the proposed airport would have significant negative environmental impacts, particularly on sensitive receptors around Tioman Island and its marine ecology.
Nik Nazmi stated that the decision not to proceed with the airport project aligns with the Ministry’s mission to prioritize the preservation, conservation, and responsible use of natural resources and the environment. This decision reflects the government’s commitment to balance development speed with environmental sustainability for the benefit of the country’s well-being.
The construction of the new airport project has had a complicated history. Although it was announced in 2003 and scheduled to start the same year pending completion of an environmental impact assessment study, the proposal was later canceled in 2009. In Budget 2018, the government announced plans to conduct a study on the construction of a new airport on the resort island. The proposed location of the new airport is Kampung Genting, partly on land and partly in water, to accommodate larger airplanes and address the limitations of the existing airport in Kampung Tekek, which only handles special charter flights with a maximum capacity of 12 passengers at a time. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
