SANDAKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants the Sandakan airport runway extension project to commence as early as next month.
In launching the project, Najib said contractor for the extension work has been appointed and had received the Letter of Intent (LoI).
"It is the same contractor involved in the upgrading work of the Sandakan airport.
“At the moment, they are in the negotiation process but I really hope that they can speed up and start mid-year. Do not wait until the year-end.
"This is what the people of Sandakan want … We are doing this (approving the runway extension) because we are concerned over the people's needs," he said during the launch ceremony at the airport.
Najib had earlier announced that RM80 million has been allocated for the runway extension project.
This, said Najib, was also proof that the government can accommodate projects not originally in development planning such as the airport expansion, as it is willing to hear the people’s requests and aspirations.
Najib believed that Sandakan has a bright future hence the district airport's new development would take it to greater heights.
"I have done a lot (for the people of Sabah) throughout my service as compared to the previous prime minister who led the country for 22 years.
"I want to see Sabah's development on par with that on the peninsula. The airport development will have a positive economic impact on the rakyat," he said.
Najib also said there must be a continuity of the present government, reminding the people to continue giving their support.
"If we are to (bring down) the current government, we cannot be sure if the next successor will be better. It can be worse...so don't be influenced by promises made by the opposition.
“The Barisan Nasional government does not need to incite or mislead the people as we have proven ourselves with initiatives implemented for the people,” he stressed.