Latest news with #KulimInternationalAirport
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kulim airport will complement, not compete with Penang, says Kedah councillor
KUALA KETIL: The state government will press for the inclusion of the Kulim International Airport (KXP) project in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), describing it as crucial not only for Kedah, but also for the nation. State Industry and Investment Committee chairman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah said the state's vision for a dedicated cargo airport was not intended to compete with Penang, but to complement it while positioning Kedah as a hub for northern regional development. "However, the federal government still views this project as if it is solely for Kedah, when in fact, we see it as a catalyst for northern regional development covering Kedah, Perlis, Penang and northern Perak. "This is a large and high-potential region that deserves federal support," he said at a press conference after a town hall with the Kedah State Development Corporation (PKNK) and industrial players here. Also present was PKNK chief executive officer Datuk Isahak Murat. Haim said the state's push for the project was within national interest. "Kedah is not just for Kedah, Kedah is for Malaysia. We hope the federal government can see the strategic position of the state in becoming an industrial development hub supported by infrastructure such as this cargo airport." He said six of the eight requirements for the project had been met, with only two outstanding, namely, obtaining the aerodrome licence and securing the airport's inclusion in the National Aerospace Strategic Plan. The state government, he added, had also submitted other proposals to Putrajaya for consideration in 13MP. "Many projects, whether related to logistics such as roads, airports and ports, or other aspects of economic development in Kedah, need to be prioritised and expedited," he said. In the town hall, Haim said the issues raised by industrial players were matters that could be addressed through the involvement and commitment of the relevant agencies. "This initiative by PKNK is commendable. The most important step after this session is to compile the list of issues and channel them to the relevant agencies. From there, we will obtain feedback on the timeframe for resolving these matters," he added.
The Star
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Third ‘Tan Sri' tied to MBI scheme
GEORGE TOWN: With two prominent businessmen already in custody, police are now focusing on a third 'Tan Sri' as investigations into the Mobility Beyond Imagination (MBI) money laundering scheme deepen. The latest businessman, said to be in his 50s, is expected to be called in for questioning upon his return to Malaysia. He is the executive chairman of a property group credited with transforming the state's real estate landscape. On Monday, police arrested a 62-year-old 'Tan Sri' at his George Town residence. During the raid, officers also seized a white Rolls-Royce Ghost and a Ford Ranger Raptor. This same businessman had previously been detained for questioning last month but was released on the same day. The Penang-based businessman, who owns a yacht docked at Straits Quay Yacht Club, is the managing director of a company with multi-billion housing and road projects in Penang, Perak and Kedah. A few years ago, his company had shown interest in developing the Kulim International Airport (KXP), but the deal was terminated after it failed to comply with the agreement. Another 'Tan Sri' businessman based in Kuala Lumpur was also nabbed for acting as a proxy for scammers. The 60-year-old man, who is the chairman of an oil and gas company, was arrested last month. The Inspector General of Police secretariat's anti-money laundering division head Comm Datuk Muhammad Hasbullah Ali had said in Tuesday's press conference that this 'Tan Sri' was not directly involved in the syndicate, but had duped a suspect into paying money to avoid arrest. 'The deal was originally for RM25mil and the suspect paid RM10mil as deposit. 'When he was arrested, the suspect told police that he had paid the money,' he said, adding that the suspect then made a police report. 'We arrested this 'Tan Sri' and the money paid was recovered.' On Tuesday, Comm Muhammad Hasbullah added that five suspects had been nabbed from April 18 to April 21 during the second round of Ops Northern Star. Among the assets seized included durian plantations in Pahang, Penang and Kedah worth RM223,624,167.75. 'A total of 299 bank accounts worth RM123,614,594.35 were also frozen,' he said during the press conference. He added that police have been investigating the MBI case for over seven years. Based on an Interpol Red Notice, there are around 11 million victims from neighbouring countries. Among the five recently arrested is a Penang-based 'Datuk Seri,' believed to be an architect involved in an abandoned RM10bil development project. He is a well-known figure in the state. In the first phase of the operation last month, police detained two Penang-based lawyers, both holding 'Datuk' titles. Authorities seized several documents related to stock transactions and real estate deals. A well-known 'Datuk Seri' property tycoon and his wife were also nabbed in Kedah during that time. Last August, MBI founder Tedy Teow was deported from Thailand to China to assist the Chinese government's investigation in his role in the pyramid scheme. It was reported that some two million Chinese nationals had been duped by Teow involving a sum of 500 billion yuan (RM300bil). During its peak, MBI was said to have collected several billions from investors. But when the pyramid scheme collapsed in 2018 after a raid by Bank Negara, depositors were left with nearly no chance of recouping their losses. It is believed that the recent police action to haul up several prominent businessmen was based on the exchange of intelligence between Bukit Aman and its Chinese counterpart following Teow's interrogation.
