Revisit Tioman airport project, urges MP

In August 2023, the Cabinet decided not to move forward with the Tioman International Airport project following an environmental impact assessment that revealed potential significant harm to marine ecology. An opposition MP, Abdul Khalib Abdullah from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PN), has urged the government to reconsider its decision in order to improve access for the island's residents and bolster tourism.

Tioman, a designated marine park, attracts around 250,000 tourists each year, yet its dependence on sea transport for movement and economic activities presents considerable challenges. Khalib stressed that conservation and connectivity are not mutually exclusive, asserting that scrapping the project does not resolve access issues for island inhabitants and operators.

During a debate on the 2027 budget in the Dewan Rakyat, Khalib called on ferry operators to halt the proposed fare increase, which he argued burdens tourists and residents during a period of economic hardship. He also implored the government to review the justification for the fare hike and ensure that the service remains comfortable and of high quality.