He claimed that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) received RM152 million from the federal government two years ago, a sum of which was allocated to upgrade Malaysia’s airports.

“Because Senai International Airport is privately owned, it did not receive any government allocation. If this is true, this is not fair,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Puah suggested that the government either purchase the airport so that all Malaysian airports will be owned by MAHB, or build a new airport to replace it should the cost be prohibitive.

In response, transport minister Loke Siew Fook clarified that the RM152 million CAAM received was for operating air traffic control towers nationwide.

Loke said it was therefore inaccurate to claim that no government funds had been set aside for the Senai airport as it was not operated by MAHB.

According to the Senai airport website, the airport was operated by MAHB from its launch in 1974 until November 2003, when its management and operation were acquired by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB).

SATSSB chairman Che Khalib Noh was reported by The Star in October last year as saying that the company had invested over RM620 million to upgrade and enhance the airport’s facilities and infrastructure since taking over its operations.

Che Khalib said SATSSB spent RM12 million to expand the airport’s area of 1,690 sq m, bringing the total floor area of the departure hall to 9,086 sq m.