KUALA LUMPUR: A Sarawak minister has called for a total revamp of the Kuching International Airport (KIA), saying it was "not up to mark".
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said airport operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has carried out continuous upgrades on the airport on a small scale.
However, this was not enough.
He said the departure hall for international tourists lacked a toilet, requiring travellers to go out of the way if they needed to use the washroom.
"There's no place to go for a drink, no proper seats, that's the feedback we received," he said after a press conference in Kuching today.
Karim said he also spoke to state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin about the state of the airport's toilet, saying it was "not nice to see".
"I would love to see an upgrade. I want this message to reach MAHB."
"The issue will always be a lack of budget but we can always look into this," he said, adding the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was not the sole gateway to the country.
In January, it was reported that the state Transport Ministry had submitted proposals to upgrade and expand KIA and the Miri Airport.
NST is reaching out to MAHB for comment.