Kadok hopeful promises Kelantan international airport upgrade if PAS wins August 12 vote
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, will be upgraded to take in aircraft internationally if PAS wins the August 12 state election, according to the party’s Kadok candidate Datuk Azami Mohd Nor.
Azami, the former state executive councillor in charge of works, infrastructure, transport and utilities, said that the airport upgrade will enable both domestic and international travellers to fly in and out of Kelantan directly, Berita Harian reported today.
“For flights under five hours namely to Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei and so on, passengers can board directly, although the airport is not of international standard at the moment.
“We can board a direct flight in Kota Bharu without the need to go Kuala Lumpur. If we win the election, we can upgrade the (international) airport to make it easier for us to go to haj.
“I know this because I was in charge of the portfolio,” he was quoted as saying in a PAS ceramah in Kota Baru last night.
He said the airport is currently being upgraded and is expected to be fully completed in 2025.
PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan were also reported present at the same ceramah.
On the stump, Azmi was reported fending off its political foes’ claims that Kelantan was plagued by water and road problems.
“To solve the water problem, we requested an allocation of RM8 billion from the federal government for the supply of clean water.
“However, the government only offered RM1.7 billion in the form of interest-free loan. We want RM1.7 billion in the form of grants like other states.
“After the state election, the menteri besar will meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, so that this RM1.7 billion will be given in the form of a grant.
“However, for the sake of the people's comfort, we will also take (loans), but whether to pay or not, we will decide later," he was quoted as saying.
