Property Hunter Magazine Property Hunter Magazine Issue 52 - March 2014 | Page 101

No Compromise on KLIA2 Safety RM40 Billion Malacca Gateway to Open Doors in 2018 alone will cost some RM600 million. “It will be able to handle three cruise ships at the same time,” he said. Lau said funding for the project will be a combination of internal funds, partnerships and bank borrowings. Artist’s impression of Melaka Gateway Hishammuddin inspecting the baggage facility during his KLIA2 site visit in Sepang The Government will not compromise on safety involving the KLIA2 project, Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.. Stressing that the project was on track to meet its May 2 completion deadline, he rejected allegations that 65% of the main terminal did not comply with fire and safety standards. “We have based the benchmark on safety on international standards. There are claims of a lot of problems with the airport but when I see with my own eyes, the system has been tested and proven to be fully-functional,” he said after an inspection yesterday at the KLIA2 site here. Accompanying the minister were Fire and Rescue Department and safety officials. The KLIA2 project has missed several deadlines for opening since September 2011, with the last scheduled one on April 30 also deferred. Speculation on another possible delay arose on Tuesday when Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd reportedly failed to receive the certificate of completion and compliance (CCC) from main contractor UEMC-Binapuri for the KLIA2 terminal building. Hishammuddin said there were only minor issues, such as on drainage and sewage, which he said would be addressed by the relevant authorities. “The aim of my inspection is to find and rectify weaknesses and remove obstacles with the cooperation of the relevant agencies. “I have told the consultants to submit a summary within two days on what needs to be done to resolve the problems,” he said. On what percentage of the project had been completed, Hishammuddin said: “That is not important as we want to tell the people that everything is going smoothly as planned.” He reiterated that the KLIA2 project would not be delayed again as all parties were cooperating with the ministry. “It should not be about when we get the CCC but the most important thing is not to compromise on safety and to meet the deadline,” he said. The RM40 billion project in Malacca known as Melaka Gateway which will be launched by the prime minister will open its doors to visitors in 2018. The 609-acre project which is being developed by KAJ Development Sdn Bhd (KAJD) will see the first phase attracting some 900,000 visitors during the first year of operations, said KAJD CEO Datuk Michelle Ong. “We expect to have 900,000 visitors in the first year including international cruise passengers,” she told reporters at a briefing. Ong said the first phase, which will be built on Pulau Melaka, will include Malaysia Eye, two hotels, several resorts, a heritage walk, a fashion district and a marina terminal. “We have already started work on Malaysia Eye and it will be erected in six months’ time,” she added. According to Ong, the company obtained the concession for the project in September 2010 and received all approvals for the project in September last year. KAJD will be the master developer of the project and it is currently in negotiations with various potential partners and investors for the project. Ong said it is talking to at least five international brands and will be announcing some of its partners at the launch ceremony. Melaka Gateway is a project with 12 precincts including residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and lifestyle elements. It is scheduled for completion by 2025. The 12 precincts are Gateway Entertainment Precinct, Melaka Marina & Cruise Centre, Melaka Historical Walk, Gateway Maritime Arena & Beacon, Branded Fashion District, Internati