HMG Invests RM80 Million In Theme Park, Air Charter Service In Langkawi
LANGKAWI, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Halim Mazmin Group (HMG) is investing RM80 million to commence two new ventures in Langkawi -- an air charter service and a water theme park.
Chairman Tan Sri Halim Mohammad said of the amount, RM60 million has been allocated for the first phase development of the Langkawi Water Kingdom, which is expected to be completed in 18 months.
"We are making an initial investment of RM20 million for the purchase of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX208B aircraft to start off the air charter service," he said at the launch of the two projects by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir here.
Halim said HMG's subsidiaries Langkawi International Sdn Bhd would undertake the development of the theme park while Prima Air Sdn Bhd would operate the air charter service.
The first phase of the water theme park, to be built on about four hectares of land, will feature high-thrill as well as family rides and play pools.
He said HMG's involvement in the air charter service aims to complement the other bigger airlines operating in Langkawi by bringing passengers to points which could not accommodate bigger aircraft.
He said the new Cessna Grand Caravan EX208B aircraft for this service received in September could be operated by two crew members and accommodate 11 passengers.
"It also has a stretcher bed to provide air ambulance for emergency medical evacuation from Langkawi to other hospitals in Alor Setar or Penang," he said.
Mukhriz in his speech commended the HMG's continuing efforts in developing Langkawi, saying more companies should invest in the island.
He said the two projects would bring a great impact on the state's economy as a whole while diversifying the resort island's tourism portfolio.
-- BERNAMA
A 138-metre tall tower with the name of ‘Maha Tower’ is being constructed in Langkawi. The Maha Tower project was officiated by Tun Dr. Mahathir. The site at the beachfront in Kuah covers 28.5 acres and the entire project, some of it on reclaimed land, is expected to be completed by 2020. The tower itself, believed to cost more than RM100m, is supposed to be completed by 2015.
Fasa satu projek pembesaran Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi yang bernilai RM89 juta akan dimulakan pada 1 September ini, persidangan Dun Kedah diberitahu hari ini.
Exco Pendidikan, Pengangkutan dan Badan-badan Bukan Kerajaan, Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain berkata, ia bakal membabitkan kerja pembesaran kawasan parkir dan dijangka siap pada 15 Okt tahun ini.
"Fasa dua yang melibatkan pembinaan dan pembesaran balai ketibaan, tandas, terminal komersial, surau dan drive way (laluan masuk kenderaan ke bangunan terminal utama) akan dimulalan pada 15 Okt ini dan berakhir 31 Ogos tahun hadapan," katanya ketika menjawab soalan Nor Saidi Nanyan (BN-Kuah).
Projek berkenaan diluluskan dalam Mesyuarat Majlis Ekonomi Negara pada 5 Jun lalu yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, dengan Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) dilantik sebagai pelaksana projek.
Menjawab soalan tambahan Nor Saidi mengenai kemungkinan untuk membina jambatan udara (aerobridge) dalam projek itu, Tajul Urus berkata buat masa ini ia agak sukar dilaksanakan memandangkan perlu melibatkan rombakan struktur dan reka bentuk bangunan utama lapangan terbang berkenaan.
"Memang ada perancangan oleh MAHB sendiri namun ia akan menjadikan kos lebih tinggi iaitu mencecah M300 juta hingga RM500 juta, dari segi bangunan kita kena sesuaikan dengan ‘aerobridge’ itu, kena buat reka bentuk lain," katanya.
Tajul Urus berkata, sehingga 31 Julai lalu, terdapat 278 penerbangan terus ke Langkawi yang dikendalikan Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, AirAsia, Firefly, Tiger Air dan China Southern Airlines, peningkatan 22.4 peratus berbanding tahun lalu.
"Dari segi penerbangan sewa khas, ada peningkatan iaitu daripada 24 penerbangan pada 2012 kepada 77 pada tahun lalu," katanya.
Mengenai laluan antarabangsa, Tajul Urus berkata ketika ini hanya terdapat dua laluan penerbangan antarabangsa iaitu dari Singapura dan Guangzhou, bagaimanapun bermula 11 Julai lalu, syarikat penerbangan China iaitu China Southern Airlines telah membuat penerbangan terus dari Guangzhou ke Langkawi.
Beliau berkata Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (Lada) juga sedang menjalin rangkaian dengan syarikat penerbangan antarabangsa seperti Scoot Airlines (Singapura), Happy Air (Thailand), TUI Fly Airlines (Jerman), FinnAir (Finland), Air India, Qatar Airways dan Emirates (Emiriah Arab Bersatu) bagi mendapatkan penerbangan khas ke Langkawi. - Bernama