LABU WITH MALAYSIAKINI: Understanding Badawi, Tony and Airasia

Early January 2009

Malaysia's cabinet approves
a low-cost air terminal
to help out a political ally

by asia sentinel

With barely three months until March when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is due to relinquish his office, he has approved a project that reeks of an attempt to salvage the profitability of conglomerate Sime Darby and to further buoy the country’s budget airline, AirAsia, which is controlled by a Badawi ally, Tony Fernandes.
[Is Badawi Bailing Out his Friends?
Asia Sentinel, Hong Kong]

Late Januari 2009

Labu airport
is as good as off

by hamidah & regina
nst
friday 30.1.2009

The proposed new airport in Labu by AirAsia Berhad is as good as off. The decision was conveyed to AirAsia executives when they met the Deputy Prime Minister this afternoon. A source said the Government felt that AirAsia would not be able to raise the funds to develop the new airport.

Instead, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad will build a new terminal near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport where they will work closely with AirAsia, a source said. AirAsia’s inputs in the building of the new terminal will also be taken into consideration,” the source said.

The Cabinet is expected to formalize the decision in the next few weeks.

Earlier, AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes briefed Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on the proposed new airport to cater to low-cost carrier.

Fernandes presented a detailed report on KLIA-East and plans to make Kuala Lumpur the regional hub for low-cost carriers. Representatives of the Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad, Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and Economic Planning Unit also attended the one-hour briefing.
In an immeidate reaction, Fernandes said: We were happy with the meeting. This is a big step for the development of AirAsia."
[Labu airport is as good as off
New Straits Times, Malaysia]

Today 31st January 2009

Decision on new LCCT
in Labu in 3 weeks time.

bernama

"Actually the goverment has not made a decision on the matter. What's important is that all fact finding and details arising will be scrutinized" Ong Tee Keat told bernama. (Decision On New LCCT In Labu In Three Weeks' Time Bernama)