“We have ‘sold’ the idea to the federal (government),” he said. “Although we have land, it still depends on their (the transport and finance ministries) decision. We hope the federal government can approve it because there is a need (for it).”

He said it is normal for any state government to present proposal papers to the federal government through the related ministries to develop new or existing assets.

“As for the proposal to build a new international airport in Seri Iskandar, it requires proper attention and consideration for the future of the country’s aviation landscape.”

In July, state executive councillor Nizar Jamaluddin reportedly said the state and federal governments had agreed in principle to the proposed construction of an international airport in Seri Iskandar, near Felcra Nasaruddin.

The airport is to be built on 1,618 hectares of land and a preliminary study on the airport had been carried out by a UK-based international infrastructure engineering firm.

Saarani said it was necessary to build a new airport in Perak as it could increase the economic spillover in the state.

He said the development of a maritime industrial city in Lumut was expected to change Perak’s economic landscape in the future and, for the long term, (the new airport) is very much needed.

The Perak proposal is the second from a state government to develop a new international airport. The Kedah government had previously submitted a proposal to build a new airport near Kulim, which faced objections from the neighbouring state government of Penang.