THE Transport Ministry and state governments of Penang and Kedah will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP) project.

In a WhatsApp message today, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the May 28 meeting will be held in Putrajaya with ministry secretary-general, and the respective state secretaries.

The Kedah government is proposing to build the privately-funded KXP in Kulim, the own that borders Bukit Mertajam in Penang.

Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir told the Kedah legislative assembly last month that the federal government has approved KXP’s focus on logistics and cargo activities that will serve the industrial parks in Kulim and Penang, and bring jobs for locals.

But the Penang government has expressed concerns that the close proximity between the KXP and the Penang International Airport (PIA) will create competition that will adversely impact the state and its industries.

The decision to hold the tripartite meeting was reportedly made during a meeting for all menteri besar and chief ministers that was chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on February 26.

The meeting had discussed and taken note of how KXP could negatively impact PIA in Bayan Lepas.

It was agreed that the Transport Ministry should discuss the matter with Kedah and Penang.

On speculation that KXP might be built in Sidam Kiri near Sg Petani instead of Kulim, Chow declined to comment.

Free Malaysia Today yesterday quoted an unnamed Sg Petani Municipal Council source as saying that KXP might be built in the small padi town some 40km north of Kulim.

Sidam Kiri is closer to Sg Petani, bordering Tasek Gelugor in northern Seberang Prai.

If KXP is built in Sidam Kiri, the new airport will be further from PIA by some 75km, instead of just some 50km if built in Kulim. – May 23, 2019.