Miri Airport upgrade projects 29 pct complete, ahead of schedule, says S'wak Transport Minister
Lee (right) inspects the progress of the upgrading projects at Miri Airport, joined by Mohd Jauhari (second left).
MIRI (May 30): The five major infrastructure upgrade projects at Miri Airport are now 29 per cent completed – 15 per cent ahead of schedule, said Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.
He said the upgrades are part of efforts to improve passenger comfort, operational efficiency, and future capacity at the airport.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAHB) Miri today, Lee said the ongoing projects include the renovation and refurbishment of passenger toilets, expected to be completed by Dec 23, 2025.
Other upgrades include the replacement of escalators at the public concourse and arrival hall.
The replacement of air conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) ducting is set to be completed and operational by mid-July 2025, while the rehabilitation works on the concrete slab at Apron Bay 1 are expected to finish by Feb 19, 2026.
Additionally, the installation, testing and commissioning of a Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) equipped with a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) is expected to be completed by June 30, 2025.
Lee also shared that the Public Works Department (JKR) has started preliminary design work for the proposed terminal expansion, with the initial study expected to conclude by November this year. Detailed design work is scheduled to commence in 2026.
To further enhance the airport's appearance and passenger experience, Lee has proposed repainting the terminal building, which is now over 20 years old.
As the ongoing works may cause temporary inconvenience, Lee urged airport users to exercise caution while navigating the terminal.
'Signage has been installed, and more will be added to help guide passengers during the upgrade period.
'I'm pleased that all the projects we've advocated are now underway. These improvements are essential, especially since Miri Airport has handled over two million passengers annually since 2013,' he added.
Lee emphasises the government's commitment to preparing Miri Airport for future growth, while ensuring comfort and safety for all users.
Also present at the press conference was Miri Airport manager Mohd Jauhari Abdullah. Lee Kim Shin Miri Airport upgrading projects
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Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
Miri Airport upgrade projects 29 pct complete, ahead of schedule, says S'wak Transport Minister
Lee (right) inspects the progress of the upgrading projects at Miri Airport, joined by Mohd Jauhari (second left). MIRI (May 30): The five major infrastructure upgrade projects at Miri Airport are now 29 per cent completed – 15 per cent ahead of schedule, said Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. He said the upgrades are part of efforts to improve passenger comfort, operational efficiency, and future capacity at the airport. Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAHB) Miri today, Lee said the ongoing projects include the renovation and refurbishment of passenger toilets, expected to be completed by Dec 23, 2025. Other upgrades include the replacement of escalators at the public concourse and arrival hall. The replacement of air conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) ducting is set to be completed and operational by mid-July 2025, while the rehabilitation works on the concrete slab at Apron Bay 1 are expected to finish by Feb 19, 2026. Additionally, the installation, testing and commissioning of a Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) equipped with a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) is expected to be completed by June 30, 2025. Lee also shared that the Public Works Department (JKR) has started preliminary design work for the proposed terminal expansion, with the initial study expected to conclude by November this year. Detailed design work is scheduled to commence in 2026. To further enhance the airport's appearance and passenger experience, Lee has proposed repainting the terminal building, which is now over 20 years old. As the ongoing works may cause temporary inconvenience, Lee urged airport users to exercise caution while navigating the terminal. 'Signage has been installed, and more will be added to help guide passengers during the upgrade period. 'I'm pleased that all the projects we've advocated are now underway. These improvements are essential, especially since Miri Airport has handled over two million passengers annually since 2013,' he added. Lee emphasises the government's commitment to preparing Miri Airport for future growth, while ensuring comfort and safety for all users. Also present at the press conference was Miri Airport manager Mohd Jauhari Abdullah. Lee Kim Shin Miri Airport upgrading projects
The Star
5 days ago
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With buoy and camera, 32-year-old diver redefines life as a Jeju haenyeo
SEOUL: For centuries, women on South Korea's Jeju Island have dived deep into the sea to harvest seafood to provide for their families. Called haenyeo, which literally means 'sea women', they rely solely on breath-holding techniques, diving as deep as 10m and staying underwater for up to two minutes, without breathing equipment. Their gear is minimal: a simple diving mask, lead weights around the waist to help them descend and a buoy called a tewak – a basketball-sized float with a net attached beneath to hold their catch. But in the village of Hagwi-ri, eastern Jeju, one haenyeo carries something extra into the water: a camera. At 32, Lee Ah-ran is the youngest haenyeo in the village. Underwater, she harvests sea cucumbers, abalone and other marine delicacies just like her older peers. Above the surface, however, she transforms into a social media storyteller. Her Instagram account has attracted more than 50,000 followers, drawing attention to the daily lives of haenyeo and the beauty of Jeju's ocean landscapes. Lee is a graduate of the Beophwan Haenyeo School in Seogwipo, one of the two institutions on Jeju established to train the next generation of haenyeo. She went on to complete a three-month internship with the Hagwi-ri village fisheries cooperative to become a full-fledged haenyeo. Since haenyeo culture has been inscribed on Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, South Korean authorities protect the island's female divers with various measures. A state-issued licence is issued to divers who meet several criteria: at least 60 days of diving per year, a minimum of 1.2 million won (US$873) in annual earnings from diving and approval from both the local fisheries cooperative and all the other haenyeo in Hagwi-ri. Lee emphasised that being a haenyeo is about more than just diving deep or holding one's breath. The true essence, she said, lies not in how far you can dive, but in how well you rise together with others. 'At haenyeo school, we learn various techniques – breath control, duck diving, seafood harvesting,' she told The Korea Herald. 'But honestly, what's more important is understanding the culture and philosophy of the haenyeo community.' During her internship, Lee joined senior haenyeo in the sea, where her teamwork was closely observed. 'The fisheries cooperative evaluates how well you work as part of a team,' she added. 'That's because no haenyeo dives alone. We enter the water together, hold our breath in rhythm and share both the risks and the rewards.' Before taking the plunge into haenyeo life, Lee spent nearly a decade as a dental hygienist and in marketing at a corporation. When she began this new chapter, it felt natural to document and share it on social media. 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Borneo Post
6 days ago
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56 new stage buses introduced under SBST programme
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (May 27): A total of 56 new stage buses have been introduced across 10 key routes in Kuching under the State Bus Service Transformation (SBST) project, said Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. He was this was a major push to modernise Sarawak's public transport system, and that was currently servicing six routes, including the latest one to Kampung Benuk which began operations on May 22. 'Since the rollout on March 5 this year, the SBST project has recorded 34,860 passengers across five routes, namely Taman Malihah, King Centre, Bako, Bau and Serian. 'This initiative not only aims to improve accessibility to public transport in the city, but also reduce traffic congestion. Passengers can ride unlimited for just RM50 a month with the MyBas50 pass,' he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday. He noted that students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities are eligible for free rides under the programme. As of May 13, a total of 2,175 applications for MyBas50 and concession cards were received since the initiative were introduced in March. Lee also announced that the 14 smart stage buses that were introduced in Miri in October 2024 saw ridership reaching 455,068 in just six months, which indicates growing public confidence in the bus system. 'These buses are equipped with electronic ticketing machines that accept debit and credit cards, e-wallets and cash, and registration and reload services for the passes are available at the Kuching Open Air Market bus station,' he said. On intercity travel, Lee said express buses remain an essential mode of transport, particularly for those commuting for work, studies or to visit family. Based on data from Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal, he said an average of 37 express bus trips depart daily. The most popular domestic routes are to Sibu, Bintulu, Sarikei, Miri, and Sri Aman, with Sibu topping the list at 3,669 passengers or 19.3 per cent of the total 19,023 passengers last year. Meanwhile, Pontianak remains the most popular international destination with 4,818 passengers recorded in 2024, or 25.3 per cent of outbound international travellers. 'To meet rising demand and ensure service reliability, my ministry will continue to collaborate with bus operators, relevant agencies and our counterparts in Indonesia,' he said. He also highlighted that plans are underway to develop an integrated Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to enhance coordination, efficiency and the passenger travel experience, although it remains in the early planning stages.
