Miri Airport upgrade projects 29 pct complete, ahead of schedule, says S'wak Transport Minister
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
06-08-2025
- Malay Mail
KLIA Aerotrain glitch fixed in 15 minutes, not a breakdown, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — The recent disruptions of the Aerotrain service at Terminal 1 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) were not due to mechanical failure but a minor technical issue that was resolved promptly, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said that in any system, such operational disruptions are common and must be tackled through continuous system and software maintenance. 'It wasn't a breakdown but a technical glitch, a software bug. In any system, there will be occasional disruptions, bugs, and other issues that must be addressed and fixed. 'The disruption was resolved within 15 minutes,' he told reporters after opening the Asean-China International Rail Transit Forum 2025 here today. Loke expressed regret over the disruptions in the past month but clarified that the Aerotrain service continues to record high passenger volumes, with 1.5 million passengers a month and hundreds of trips daily. He also urged Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to pay serious attention to the contractors and vendors involved in maintaining the service. On Monday, the media reported calls from several quarters urging the Transport Ministry to establish a special committee to investigate the cause of service disruptions, which allegedly occurred at least five times since the service resumed on July 1. On the third-generation Electric Train Service (ETS3) project to Johor Bahru, Loke said it is progressing as planned, contrary to claims by some parties. 'It is definitely inaccurate to say there was a delay. I have already mentioned a few months ago that the ETS3 project will be implemented in phases. It is not a delay,' he stressed. He clarified that the ETS3 is already operational up to Segamat (first phase), while the second phase to Kluang is set to begin service before August 31, followed by the third phase to Johor Bahru Sentral by the end of the year. He said the ministry is awaiting confirmation on the launch date for the second phase, as the first train will be driven by a VIP, adding that an official announcement will be made later this month. 'The ministry is committed to starting the service before August 31,' he added. Meanwhile, Loke said Malaysia is looking forward to realising greater rail connectivity with China, particularly in facilitating cross-border rail freight. He emphasised that such connectivity cannot be achieved by Malaysia alone and requires strong collaboration with other Asean member states, especially Thailand and Laos, to ensure seamless regional integration. 'We cannot do it alone. We must work together with our Asean partners to enhance connectivity between Asean and China,' he said, adding that improved cooperation would strengthen logistics networks and economic ties across the region. Earlier in his opening remarks at the forum, Loke said the event symbolises the strengthening of Asean-China cooperation and reflects a shared vision for a smarter, greener and more connected future. He said the global rail sector is undergoing a renaissance, driven by climate urgency, digital disruption and economic transformation, stressing that for Malaysia, investing in rail is no longer just about infrastructure but has become a national economic and environmental imperative. — Bernama
New Straits Times
06-08-2025
- New Straits Times
KLIA Aerotrain disruption caused by software bug, not mechanical failure: Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent disruption involving the Aerotrain service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was not due to mechanical failure but a temporary technical glitch caused by a software bug, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Clarifying the matter, the minister said it was important for the public to understand that such system interruptions are not uncommon in large-scale automated operations, especially when they involve complex software. "It was not a breakdown in the traditional sense. This was a 15-minute disruption caused by a software bug. The system was restored within that period," he told the media at the Asean-China International Rail Transit Forum 2025 here today. Loke said that while the fault was not mechanical, it still required urgent attention to prevent similar incidents in the future. "We acknowledge that there are weaknesses that need to be addressed. These types of technical issues must be minimised, especially in a facility like KLIA that reflects our national image. "I urge Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to give serious attention to this matter and ensure that their vendors and contractors are held accountable for the performance and maintenance of the system," he added. In just over a month since its relaunched on July 1, following more than two years of upgrading works valued at RM456 million, the service has been broken down a few times. In the latest incident on August 4, a minor technical issue caused a brief pause in the Aerotrain service. MAHB in a post on Facebook said the incident occurred at 10.30am due to a door not closing properly, prompting a precautionary 15 minute halt in operations. This was the third incident in almost a month since the Aerotrain was reopened last month. On July 4, service was temporarily suspended this morning after water accumulated in its tunnel following heavy rainfall. The incident occurred when one of the tunnel's drainage pumps experienced a technical fault during severe weather.
Focus Malaysia
05-08-2025
- Focus Malaysia
RM456m aerotrain's multiple breakdowns – teething problems or just shoddy workmanship?
Letter to Editor PUBLIC dismay over yet another breakdown in Aerotrain services in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is apparent on social media. The grumblings about the latest breakdown on Monday (Aug 4) have been loud and clear. As reported by The Star, airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has issued a statement regarding the 15-minute incident by blaming it on a 'technical issue'. 'At 10.30am, a door malfunction resulted in a temporary pause in operations for 15 mins,' the mainstream daily pointed out in a post uploaded to its X account. 'Shuttle buses were deployed during this time to maintain connectivity. Service resumed at 11.01am and operations are back to normal.' One can understand public disgruntlement as this follows other recent incidents. The Star had also reported that the aerotrain had experienced another breakdown on July 13. The incident that evening forced stranded passengers to walk a short stretch of the guideway to reach Terminal 1's satellite building with MAHB apologising for the incident. On July 4, the aerotrain service was halted for an hour around 11am when heavy rain caused water ponding at the underpass. In a statement that day, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook attributed the cause to a pump failure which was not part of the aerotrain replacement programme but one that was supposed to drain the water. Henceforth, this painted the impression that the incident was in no way 'a breakdown' of the train. Compensation for delays The minister's excuse sounds like a lot like a 'cuci tangan' statement which alongside the other breakdowns, the end consequence is that travellers were greatly inconvenienced. The frequency of these breakdowns seems to go beyond mere teething problems. Did the relevant parties not carry out rigorous testing of the system before going 'live'? Surely, a water pump's efficiency and effectiveness would be put to the test since Malaysia is, surprise, surprise, known for its rainy seasons to avoid the July 4 incident. What other unexpected surprises will creep up to cause more delays? What if the next incident causes travellers to miss their flights? Aside from missed holidays or business trips, what if it causes them to miss an important family event such as a wedding or, worse, a funeral? Will there be suitable recompense? It is one thing to merely reimburse the cost of a missed flight but it is quite another to put a number on missing important family engagements. These breakdowns sap public confidence of the aerotrain system. There should be greater accountability aside from the grovelling apologies. With the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign kicking off next year, suffice to say, these are headlines that everyone can do without. Social media means it will go viral, painting a negative perception of Malaysia as a destination. Stop passing the buck and get your act together. In this case, it would be the Transport Minister as the buck has to stop with you. – Aug 5, 2025 Concerned Frequent Flyer Cheras The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: MAHB
