Gong Kedak RMAF Base To Have Air Terminal

11 April 2010

Gong Kedak Malaysia (image : GoogleMaps)

BESUT, April 10 (Bernama) -- The Defence Ministry plans to build an air terminal at the Gong Kedak Air Base, here to facilitate the processing of landings and take-offs for Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter jets and transport aircraft.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal to build the terminal project would be presented to the Cabinet in the near future for inclusion under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to upgrade the air base, which forms one of the most important air bases for the RMAF.

RMAF base (image : scramble)

With the construction of the air terminal, the air base would become one of the most important air bases in the East Coast besides the Kuantan RMAF Base, he told a media conference after a one-day working visit to the Gong Kedak RMAF Base, here.

During the visit, Ahmad Zahid was also given the honour to board the Sukhoi SU-30 MKM jet fighter to observe the runway at the base which was said to have problems which prevented the aircraft from using the base.

"This flight proves that there is no problem for the Sukhoi to take off from this runway and there is also no technical problem as claimed by the opposition," he said.

Also present during the visit were Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah and Air Force Chief Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud.

(Bernama)