MAHB offers technical support for new Kuching International Airport project

July 19,2025

By: Borneo Post

KUCHING (July 29): Discussions surrounding the proposed New Kuching International Airport (NKIA) are still ongoing, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani, as quoted in a report by the New Straits Times.

He said the Sarawak government had requested for technical assistance, and MAHB has instructed its internal teams to render support where feasible.

“I think in terms of helping on technical matters, I’ve told my team: let’s help, let’s work together, and do as much as we can. Beyond that, we can’t do more because the discussion between the state and federal is still ongoing. So, we leave it at that,” he told a media briefing on MAHB’s strategic direction post-privatisation in Sepang yesterday.

According to Mohd Izani, MAHB reserves the right to decline management of any new airport under the existing operating agreement, but stressed the company’s commitment to supporting both federal and state aviation development policies.

Earlier this month, the state Transport Ministry said Sarawak and the Netherlands are exploring broader areas of collaboration in airport design, operations and sustainable aviation practices, particularly in relation to the proposed NKIA.

It said both parties engaged in meaningful discussions on the future of Sarawak’s aviation sector, with a particular focus on the NKIA project.

Earlier this year, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced Sarawak’s new state-of-the-art international airport will be located in Tanjung Embang, Samarahan Division near the deep-sea port presently under development in the area.

He said Tanjung Embang was selected over Matang for the airport project due to logistical challenges including airspace constraints near Indonesian territory.