Tioman's Airport Fails To Take Off

[Naim 6]

Yes, what has happened?

 

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August 14, 2007 10:13 AM

 

Tioman's Airport Fails To Take Off

 

A Special Report By Mohd Shukri Ishak

 

PULAU TIOMAN, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- What has happened to the proposed RM150 million airport in Tioman Island as highlighted four years ago?

 

The new airport in Kampung Paya was supposed to take off in 2003 as soon as the environmental impact assessment (EIA) was completed.

 

The new airport is to help promote tourism growth in this duty free island.

 

Yet four years have lapsed, there is still no sign of the airport project taking off and all parties concerned are at a loss.

 

The project now is not only a poser to the islanders but also the Pahang state government that gave its blessing for the new airport.

 

"It is a Federal Government's project, we are yet to be informed of its status whether it would be implemented or not, the state government on its part has given its approval," said Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Tan Mohd Aminuddin Ishak to Bernama.

 

PROPOSED AIRPORT'S BACKGROUND

 

On 27 April 2003, the Second Finance Minister at that time Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said work on the project would begin the same year as soon as the EIA report is ready.

 

Dr Jamaluddin said the airport would be built parallel to the coastline and its runaway can accommodate Boeing 737s.

 

The government even had planned to convert the current airport in Kampung Tekek as a shopping haven.

 

Dr Jamaluddin was quoted saying the existing airport in Kampung Tekek was no longer suitable. Currently only propeller-powered planes can land there.

 

EXISTING AIRPORT HAS LIMITATIONS

 

"The government has agreed to replace the existing airport, it poses hazard to flights because the aircraft is actually landing on the foot of a hill.

 

"Thus to develop the island, it must be well connected through air, land and water. If not, we can't add value, we have to market the island, the people will ask whether the island is easily accessible," said Dr Jamaluddin.

 

Meanwhile the Tioman Development Board General Manager Datuk Hashim Mat Tahir also agreed that the proposed airport would serve as a catalyst to lure more tourists to the duty free island.

 

According to the latest statistics about 300,000 tourists made their way to the island, listed among the 10 most beautiful in the world, with 80 percent of them using the sea as their transport mode.

 

LOCALS AGREEABLE TO THE PROJECT

 

When asked whether the islanders are hoping the project to go on, Hashim replied: "The majority are agreeable though some opposed, like in the construction of the marina in Kampung Tekek but when it was completed they knew it benefited the tourism industry here."

 

In 2004, the marina worth RM40 million was strongly opposed by those who feared it would endanger the reef in the underwater park.

 

Meanwhile, many including the islanders want to see the project proceed knowing well it will boost tourism in the island.

 

A villager, Abdul Latif Salam, 45, from Kampung Mukut here is confident of more tourist arrivals with the new airport that will improve the accessibility to the island.

 

Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort' General Manager Gordon Koh is also confident the new airport will bring in more tourists.

 

Tioman was declared a duty free island effective 1 Sept 2002. With the new status, it was hoped that Tioman will be able to stand at par with Indonesia's Pulau Batam and Bintan that are wooing Singaporeans in droves.

 

Nevertheless, the dreams of Tioman islanders to see Boeing 737s filled with tourists land in the island remain no more than a dream.

 

-- BERNAMA

[Mohd Idham 0]

Malaysian Governement, no wonder.... and expected....

[Rozhan 0]

Maybe an airport that can accomodate ATR planes would be more suitable for such a small island. Why are they so fixated with 737s 'to bring in the tourists' anyway. Might as well get it to be able to accomodate A380s to bring in all the tourists that they could in one load.

[Naim 6]

I hear from a consultant friend, the govt is not happy with the environmental impact after doing the marina. They should not have attempted this airport project in the first place. Better to build one at Mersing/Tg Gemok area to serve Endau-Rompin and all the other islands.

 

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[mokhzani 0]

Building an airport like that would only lead to an environmental disaster...... Tioman wouldn't be the same with the airport. In fact the proposed site for the airport contains a lot of corals closest to the main island without the need to venture out too far. The current airport is quite sufficient, as it is only those staying in Berjaya Resort chose to come by plane, most would prefer to go by boat as it is more scenic....... and cheap too....

[KK Lee 5]

According to the latest statistics about 300,000 tourists made their way to the island, listed among the 10 most beautiful in the world, with 80 percent of them using the sea as their transport mode.

 

Tioman was declared a duty free island effective 1 Sept 2002. With the new status, it was hoped that Tioman will be able to stand at par with Indonesia's Pulau Batam and Bintan that are wooing Singaporeans in droves.

 

 

Maldives’ 87 resorts with a total of 20,000 bed capacity, have only about 700,000 tourist arrival per year.

 

If Tioman is one of the 10 most beautiful in the world and only hoped to stand at par with Indonesia's Pulau Batam and Bintang?

 

Hard to believe the local papers.

 

 

 

[Jerry Ang 0]

Malaysian Governement, no wonder.... and expected....

 

I stand on this...

[TW Teo 0]

That project has always been a disaster to start with. I'm against the development of this airport and I seriously hope it never takes off!

 

It's not surprising the environmental impact is substantial. They're proposing to build the runway right on a rich coral reef just off Kampung Paya... absolutely unbelievable. That reef (and most others around the island) has already been suffering from bleaching and they want to completely destroy it? That's one of the main reasons people visit the island for goodness sake!

 

To still claim Tioman is one of the top 10 most beautiful island is just laughable if they continue to rape the island with eyesores. There's already enough damage done with the current airstrip and golf course. Not to mention abandoned projects littered around the island.

 

Leave Tioman alone, it doesn't need more irresponsible tourists , it's not sustainable.

Edited August 16, 2007 by TW Teo

[BC Tam 2]

..... Might as well get it to be able to accomodate A380s to bring in all the tourists that they could in one load.

Sort of like a once a year frequency ?

Edited August 16, 2007 by BC Tam

[KK Lee 5]

 

Tourists visit Tioman for the sea and beach, not for the airport. It is critical to preserve the coral reefs.

 

Boracay in Philippines, is smaller than Tioman, received 300,000+ tourists a year. The nearest airport is Caticlan (MPH), on another island can only accommodate turboprop like Dash-7, Do-328, but have over 20 daily flights from Manila.

 

Boracay/MPH proved;

- There isn’t a need for a large airport on the island to attract tourists

- TOD should cater for over 20 daily flights before considering expansion plan.

 

[Radzi 2]

Finally, a good news about development.

 

We must stop killing the goose that lay the golden egg.

[Samuel Chy 0]

Finally, a good news about development.

 

We must stop killing the goose that lay the golden egg.

 

if not killing those goose, pocket empty la... mana boleh survive...

[Rozhan 0]

I Better to build one at Mersing/Tg Gemok area to serve Endau-Rompin and all the other islands.

 

Indeed there are other islands in that area that could benefit from tourism as well. I like driving to Mersing, and from there to Tioman. Hotel Seri Malaysia Mersing has a large parking lot and generally secure. One night there, and off to Tioman or other islands.

 

One could almost have the road to oneself driving along from Pekan to Rompin. Very scenic and smooth drive.

[affendi osman 0]

One could almost have the road to oneself driving along from Pekan to Rompin. Very scenic and smooth drive.

 

 

I agree with this...been doing that. What a beauty! Driving from KL, to Kuantan and proceed to Tanjong Gemok via Pekan. Even the road was a bit scary, but it worth it!

[mokhzani 0]

I travelled that road 3 times a week for 4 years 2 years ago... relaxing and beutiful view. Only you have to watch out for the occasional wild boar and kera! (long tail monkey)

 

The coast is littered with exciting fishing and dive site mostly sunken fishing boats or the occassional Japanese gunboat......

[Naim 6]

Have you guys tried the Mersing-Endau road, but take detours along the sea? Pantai Air Papan and the Penyabong area, those are fantastic spots.

 

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[KK Lee 5]

One could almost have the road to oneself driving along from Pekan to Rompin. Very scenic and smooth drive.

I agree with this...been doing that. What a beauty! Driving from KL, to Kuantan and proceed to Tanjong Gemok via Pekan. Even the road was a bit scary, but it worth it!

 

Nearer and faster to use KL-Senawang-Kulau Pilah-Bandar Muadzam Shah-Rompin-Endau.

 

 

[Fitri Shukri 0]

Nearer and faster to use KL-Senawang-Kulau Pilah-Bandar Muadzam Shah-Rompin-Endau.

 

 

Yeah, but boring palm oil plantation!!! Better the scenic coastal road.

 

I haven't been to Tioman, but if I were to go, it would be by boat from Mersing or Tg Gemok.

 

[affendi osman 0]

Tanjung Gemok....less ferry, more parking lots...

 

Mersing...more ferry...more people!

[Naim 6]

Yeah, but boring palm oil plantation!!! Better the scenic coastal road.

 

I haven't been to Tioman, but if I were to go, it would be by boat from Mersing or Tg Gemok.

 

Tioman so-so saja la - better try Redang or Perhentian. But need to drive further up a bit lah.

 

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[Fitri Shukri 0]

Tioman so-so saja la - better try Redang or Perhentian. But need to drive further up a bit lah.

 

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For me no need to drive further up a bit... my in-law house is just 10 minutes from Kuala Besut jetty (to go to Perhentian, Lang Tengah or Redang).

 

But dunno why you say 'so-so'. Many say Tioman is better than Perhentian?

[Naim 6]

For me no need to drive further up a bit... my in-law house is just 10 minutes from Kuala Besut jetty (to go to Perhentian, Lang Tengah or Redang).

 

But dunno why you say 'so-so'. Many say Tioman is better than Perhentian?

 

K Besut? So close to the islands already. Redang has better beaches and better snorkeling, compared to Tioman. Less crowded too. Perhentian am not too sure.

 

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[Raveen 0]

no probs with a new airport.... but more ppl coming will mean they have to set aside a bigger budget for maintenance, which being malaysia...u can forget about it! so hurrah for the destruction of another beautiful island.

 

 

Perhentian looks way cleaner, but thats from the air... though nothing beats the filth of Pangkor!

Edited August 19, 2007 by Raveen

[kianhong 0]

Tioman so-so saja la - better try Redang or Perhentian. But need to drive further up a bit lah.

 

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This one I agree!! That's why I haven't been to Tioman even though I have been to Redang archipelago numerous times. But I heard Tioman have quite some decent coral reef at the east side facing South China Sea.