SIBU: The extension and upgrading of Sibu airport represents one of the major components of a big plan to revitalize the development of Sibu.
Speaking at the opening of the upgraded Sibu airport by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the bigger and better airport would now be able to cater to the surge in passenger traffic from the central region of the state due to an increase in economic activities in places such as Sarikei, Bintangor and Tanjung Manis.
“Being the gateway to the central region which is set to become the new growth centre for the state, Sibu can anticipate seeing much change in the years ahead,” said the chief minister.
He told those present that the huge investments from foreign companies in the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable (SCORE) would translate into more people travelling through Sibu.
He added that a plan to turn Sarkei into the food haven of the state would further fuel the overall development of Sibu.
“Sibu can look forward to more accelerated rate of development, and I see the upgrading of its airport as timely.”
Taib said he was grateful to the federal government for allocating the funds for the airport’s extension.
He said the special attention accorded by Najib to the state since he took over the premiership had seen accelerated pace of development in the state, with more and bigger ones in the pipeline.