KULIM International Airport (KXP) may be built in Sidam Kiri, a small padi town 40km from Kulim, reports Free Malaysia Today.

A Sg Petani Municipal Council (SPMC) source told the portal that the town is 20km from the Kulim Hi-Tech Park.

Some 600ha of oil palm estate land will likely be the site for KXP, said the source.

Industries in the surrounding area that make the site suitable include the Sime Darby Inokom vehicle-assembly plant.

The main focus is the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, where multinational tech companies operate.

If Sidam Kiri indeed becomes the site for the proposed KXP, it would be nearer to Sg Petani. SPMC has jurisdiction over Sidam Kiri.

The speculation comes amid Penang’s concerns that KXP will pose competition to Penang International Airport.

The federal government has given its approval for the RM1.6 billion KXP, which is among the high-impact projects for Kedah in the 11th Malaysia Plan, although the country’s main airport operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, in March said it was still in the dark over plans for the airport.

Kedah Mentari Besar Mukhriz Mahathir heads the state-owned KXP AirportCity Holding Sdn Bhd, which will lead, manage and coordinate the construction of the airport.

Mukhriz last month told the state assembly that Putrajaya had approved KXP’s focus on logistics and cargo activities, which would create job opportunities for Kedahans, and cater to the Kulim and Penang industrial parks. – May 22, 2019.