The Vibes today reported that WCT Holdings Bhd, largely controlled by property tycoon Desmond Lim, had approached the government with a proposal to operate the airport area until 2092 through its subsidiary, Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd.

Stating that “it is not uncommon” for the market to submit proposals to the government to develop new airports or take over existing ones, MAHB noted that this had occurred “a number of times” in the past.

“At this point of time, we have not been given the details of the proposal yet and neither has there been a discussion held with the government on the details,” it said in a statement.

MAHB added that previous proposals saw the government seeking its input along with that of Malaysia Aviation Group.

MAHB said it was also important that regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and Malaysian Aviation Commission provide their views before any decision is made on the proposal.

FMT today spoke to a source who said the takeover would be “catastrophic” as plans to turn the site into a 130-acre commercial development with malls, offices and exhibition space would ruin the network that has been developed between the country’s airports, all of which are run by MAHB.

Apart from concerns about adding on to an already bloated property sector glut, the source also feared that should SAAS airport be carved out from MAHB’s network of 39 airports, it would come into competition with KLIA, thus affecting the sustainability of both airports.