TIOMAN tourism players are happy Putrajaya has shelved the new airport there, saying its development would have marred the natural beauty of the popular holiday destination in Pahang. 

They said the cancellation will preserve the coral reefs in the marine park, which are the main source of income as they are a major attraction for tourists to the island.

Azlan Hashim, a 46-year-old tour company owner, said many tourists had expressed their dissatisfaction over the proposed construction of the airport.

“Many, especially those from abroad, stated that they would not return to the Island if the airport was built.

“Now everyone is happy because the proposed reclamation of the sea that would have affected the coral reef habitat will not happen,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Azlan said the tourism sector on Tioman Island does not need any more improvement to its transportation infrastructure, instead it is the island’s natural environment that needs to be preserved.

A 67 year-old tour guide, who only wanted to be known as Tok Sam, shared Azlan’s sentiment.

He said the plan to build the new airport had long been opposed.

“The proposal to build the airport was strongly opposed by both tourists and industry players like us from the very beginning.

“We are simply overjoyed with the decision to cancel the project because its construction would have a negative impact on the tourism sector there.

“Tour guides, local residents, and environmental activists are very concerned about the degradation of the local environment, which would also affect their income.

“This is a victory for environmental awareness in preserving the ecosystem of Tioman Island,” Tok Sam, who is advocating for ferry services to remain as the main mode of access to and from the island, said.

The proposal to build the new airport was first mooted in 2003 at a cost of around RM120 million.

The plan ran into a barrage of opposition, which finally forced the government to cancel it in 2009.

The plan however, was not totally killed.

Nine years later in 2018, a new proposal emerged.

The proposal was approved by the state government and the National Physical Planning Council in 2020.

The seven-year development plan from 2024 to 2030 would have covered an area of 142.7 hectares within what is designated as a marine park.

Hidayat Ali, who operates a tour company in Pahang, said the island should remain a marine resort that directly contributes to the tourism coffer.

He said if the airport plans had gone ahead, 76% of the marine protected area would have been affected by land reclamation work.

That, he added, would have resulted in the destruction of most of the coral reefs, which tourists come to see, on Tioman Island.

“These coral reefs are habitats for many marine species and contribute significantly to the island’s biodiversity. They are also a key attraction for the tourism industry on the island.

“I am truly grateful for the government’s decision,” 53-year-old Hidayat said.

Reef Check Malaysia, an ecological monitoring organisation, also believes that the resources earmarked for the airport should be redirected to improve other infrastructure on the island.

Its programme manager, Alvin Chelliah, also agreed the new airport was unnecessary and would not have benefitted the local community or the environment.

“The focus should be on improving basic infrastructure, drainage systems, waste treatment, and electricity supply on the island.

“The recurring issue of water scarcity and poor, inefficient waste management are major problems on this island.

“I believe the construction of the new airport would divert attention from addressing these pressing issues.”

That, Chelliah added, would have a negative impact on the local community and environment.

He also urged for more research and environmental assessments to be made with emphasis on the needs and perspectives of the islanders.

Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, earlier this month announced the Cabinet had agreed to cancel the project.

He said the project was found to have the potential to significantly impact the environment of the island, particularly the island’s sensitive marine ecology.

He noted that the reclamation of the area would lead to the destruction of coral reefs which are critical habitats for various marine species within the marine park.

“Even though the intention behind the new airport construction was to bring in more tourists, it would compromise the natural allure of the island, leading to unsustainable tourism,” Nik Nazmi had said.

Nik Nazmi’s decision in part was based on the 1,412 public reviews on the Environmental Impact Assessment report during an exhibition held until August 4. –  August 27, 2023.