MIRI: Passengers travelling through Miri Airport can now enjoy improved comfort and safety following the completion of three newly upgraded escalators, which are fully operational.
Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, said the RM810,000 replacement project was necessary as the previous escalators had frequently malfunctioned over the years.
“After several efforts to obtain approval to replace the three old escalators, all have now been successfully installed and are ready for use,” he said during his inspection visit to the airport terminal today.
He added that the new escalators were inspected and approved by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) before being allowed for public use.
Although the upgrading works were completed over a month earlier, Lee explained that DOSH had requested for additional safety improvements by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) prior to granting approval.
Equipped with modern safety features, the escalators include LED lights beneath the handrails and along the steps, as well as green and red indicator lights at entry and exit points to show movement directions.
Meanwhile, Lee also inspected ongoing upgrading works involving four public restrooms at the airport terminal.
He urged the public to be patient as the improvement works, scheduled for completion by the end of November 2025, are expected to provide better comfort for passengers.
“These upgraded facilities will enhance user experience once completed,” he said.
In addition, three passenger boarding bridges that had previously faced frequent breakdowns have been replaced with new units, involving an expenditure of RM4.5 million.
According to Lee, the ongoing improvements serve as an interim measure before the Miri Airport terminal expansion project is implemented.
“We are now in the proposal and planning stages for the terminal expansion. The new terminal will accommodate three categories of flights: international, inter-state, and domestic (Sarawak),” he said.
Lee also expressed appreciation to MAHB and the Ministry of Transport Malaysia for their cooperation in upgrading the facilities at Miri Airport, which serves as the main gateway to northern Sarawak.
“These projects are crucial to enhance the image and comfort of Miri Airport while we await the much-anticipated terminal expansion,” he added.
