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Published: Wednesday September 23, 2009 MYT 4:42:00 PM

Moves to make Tawau an air transport hub

By RUBEN SARIO


sario@thestar.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: A series of measures are being worked out to pave the way for Tawau to become an air transport hub within the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA).

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the establishment of direct low-cost air services between Tawau and Singapore was the first step in getting more links to the east coast district of Sabah.

He said the Government was hoping this would further develop with more air services linking Tawau and areas within EAGA including the Indonesian provinces of East, West and Central Kalimantan and Sulawesi as well as southern Philippines.

Ong said the Tawau airport had been upgraded to cater for an increasing demand for air travel in the district.

The Transport Ministry was also working out a search and rescue radar system which he intended to announce upon his next visit to Tawau, Ong said after meeting state party members and officials here Wednesday.

He said his ministry had also received feedback from the public about the need to improve water transportation systems such as shipping services in Tawau.

“There are some longstanding issues we need to overcome, including (setting up) facilities such as a jetty and related amenities such as customs clearance and various safety measures,” Ong added.

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