CM welcomes proposed expansion of Penang International Airport

GEORGETOWN - Penang state government welcomes the expansion of Penang International Airport (PIA) as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the revised Budget 2023.

Its chief minister, Chow Kon Yeow said he hoped the expansion would enable the airport to accommodate 20 million passengers annually.

He said the airport expansion would increase the socio-economic development of the Northern Corridor states as well as Penang's Tourism industry.

"Penang government will provide their full support to the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) in the implementation of this project.

"We hope the project could begin this year and be completed within three years," he said in a statement, here, on Friday.

The Batu Kawan member of parliament (MP) said Penang welcomes the allocation of RM50 million to aid Georgetown and Melaka in heritage conservation works.

He said the state government will cooperate with the relevant ministries to finalise the best projects and programmes to implement in Georgetown.

"The unity government had previously provided allocations to Penang for heritage works when Georgetown was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

"The unity government today has shown its concern for Penang which has long been neglected.

"It is a good signal from the finance minister towards Penang, even though there are still several infrastructure projects to be implemented in order for Penang to overcome its development constraints," he said.

Chow said the state government will continue to cooperate with several ministries to gain approval for the applications brought up.