I AM greatly appreciative that the KKIA management has invited SEAC and SEAC tourism committee to a meeting on 4th August 2022. The meeting has been fruitful and frank. From the KKIA management were Senior Manager, Tuan Haji Sunif Naiman, incoming senior manager/Operation Jefry Ramli, Rehan Shafiq (Commercial) and Jekeria Semat (Engineering)
The followings issues were brought up and discussed in depth during the meeting.
Rectifications that KKIA management can do immediately.
Both sides have reached agreement that there are many areas which I have mentioned in my two open letters to the Daily Express that KKIA management can address immediately
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[a] General cleanliness especially the toilets. In this regards, KKIA management has assured that renovation for 2 toilets will commence soon.
[b] Car park and landscape,
[c] Increase level of lighting,
[d] Increase number of chairs for passengers in the check-in and international departure halls.
[e] Increase the level of services and welcoming of visitors in KKIA, especially at immigration and custom check points. KKIA and SEAC Tourism Committee will liaise with the Immigration and Custom Departments respectively.
[f] Improve the general ambience.
[g] Improve service and facilities at FnB outlets, especially at McDonald and KFC. Exploring possibility of setting up a proper restaurant.
[h] Introduce guest meeting services.
To implement these, both sides have agreed to form a working committee comprising KKIA senior management and SEAC Tourism Committee. Dato Seri Winston Liaw will be the sole spokesman for SEAC Tourism Committee. He will consolidate all valid suggestions from tourism stakeholders for discussion/implementation by KKIA management.
It is hoped that KKIA will initiate the first meeting of this working committee immediately.
For attention of the MAB Board.
The following points, which are beyond the scope of KKIA management, should receive the urgent attention of and action by MAB Board so that it can produce a master plan for discussion with our Sabah Government soonest.
Mutual benefits from close Collaboration between MAB and Sabah.
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A “we are on the same side” collaboration can bring many mutual economic and financial benefits for MAB and Sabah. These can be looked into [a] Joint promotion for more airlines to land in KKIA. This will bring in more revenue for KKIA and more visitors for Sabah. [b] Discount and/or incentives to encourage targeted airlines to land in KKIA for a pre-determined time period. [c] Joint efforts to promote tourism, especially more high value tourists. [d] Joint efforts to promote full-service airlines as the overwhelming majority of airlines landing in KKIA are budget. [e] MAB can look into promoting bigger planes to come to KKIA. Boeing 747 can land on KKIA’s extended runway. Now, no wide body planes are coming. [f] Joint efforts to promote MICE business as SICC has been completed and is already operational. An operational plan to carter for MICE arrivals and departures in KKIA should be put in place soonest. [g] MAB can produce a promotional plan to bring in more tourists and to expedite Sabah’s recovery from the pandemic. [h] Last not least, please tell Sabahans —-Is there a Sabahan representative on MAB Board? If not, why?
KKIA’s role and responsibilities in Sabah’s Economic Development.
MAB and Sabah, especially the tourism stakeholders are on the same side for mutual benefits and for Malaysia’s national interest. They should not be in opposition. They should act like “hand in glove”.
Sabah is 1/3 partner in Malaysia under MA63 which has been reaffirmed in the recent Constitution Amendment. In this regard, the Board of MAB should be accountable/obligated to the Sabah Government and all Sabahans for its role in Sabah’s Economic Development without being asked or Sabah having to publicly complain or lobby.
It is wrong for MAB to have neglected KKIA for such a long time as it is against its own and Sabah’s interest.
In any case, MAB Board Directors, as trustees of the Malaysian Government, have a primary duty to see that KKIA is managed to fulfil its role and responsibilities in Sabah’s Economic Development. Towards this end, I like to suggest to you as Chairman and your Board to familiarize/update and sync with Hajiji’s SMJ economic development plan. Only then can KKIA synchronize with his SMJ aspirations and objectives.
KKIA needs a major renovation very badly.
Apart from the extension of the runway in 2005, there has been no meaningful major renovation for KKIA terminal. It is old, tired, boring, user unfriendly and the facilities are badly and utterly out of date.
KKIA must have a major renovation to stay competitive as the gateway of Borneo. Eventually, KKIA will have to compete with Nasuntara airport at the new Indonesian Capital.
Such a renovation should include a total revamp of KKIA’s commercial operation for the convenience of tourists and greater rental income for KKIA.
Relocation of KKIA is an urgent matter.
KKIA’s maximum capacity of 9 milli0n passenger through-puts has already been reached in 2019.
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[a] A responsible/responsive profit conscious MAB Board should have a keen eye to expand its business by looking for an alternative site to construct a new KKIA. Is the MAB Board NOT keen to have 20 or 30 or 50 million passengers for KKIA?
[b] It is normal for any business, especially those that requires large capital and long-term planning to look into expansion when its capacity has reached 80%. In the case of MAB, it is the responsible thing to do for its interest, Sabah’s interest and our national interest.
[c] In any case, KKIA in its present site has become a very serious constraint to KK’s physical development due to the aviation height restrictions.
KKIA’s future business model from MAB. Sabah is host to MAB’s KKIA which is the 2nd busiest airport in Malaysia. Its profitability can be greatly enhanced by a well-conceived master plan, incorporating KKIA as a tourism/cargo hub.
KKIA is a valuable asset to MAB. KKIA can be a lot more valuable if MAB is observant to its potentials. KKIA is a major economic asset for Sabah’s economic development, can be a lot more important if MAB can cultivate a close rapport with the Sabah Government.
There should be a well-defined mutual economic symbiotic relationship between MAB and Sabah Government. MAB, being a federal government GLC should be proactive to ensure KKIA is vibrant, so that Malaysians, especially Sabahans can be proud of it.
The MAB Board should prepare KKIA’s business model and give our Chief Minister and his cabinet a briefing on it as soon as possible.
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer Datuk John Lo and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.