Media statement by Teresa Kok Suh Sim in Shah Alam on Monday, 22^nd August 2011:

Aerobridges at KLIA2 are a must for the safe, secure and barrier-free access for the disabled, the elderly and pregnant passengers

I support the call by the disabled groups that urge Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to build aerobridges at KLIA2. (Source: MAHB must install aerobridges at KLIA 2 http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/173660)

I also wish to express my disappointment at the media statement issued by MAHB on 14 July 2011 which stated that the decision was made to acommodate AirAsia's request to be exempted from the need to use aerobridges to allow them to reduce their turnaround time, run more flights and make more money in short. (Source: No aerobridges at KLIA2 to cater for AirAsia's requirement http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/index.php/latest-news/474.html)

I remind MAHB that the needs of a corporation should not be placed above the passengers' need for barrier-free access, safety and security. Thus, aerobridges for KLIA2 should not be regarded as an optional luxury but a necessary facility to allow safe passage for the disabled, the elderly and pregnant passengers.

In addition, these aerobridges will be used not only by those who are mobility-impaired, but by all passengers which number in the tens of thousands. Able-bodied passengers will also benefit from having a more comfortable and convenient passage to their aeroplane instead of having to climb up and down staircases and be exposed to the sun and rain on the tarmac.

MAHB's decision to scrap the aerobridges is all the more disappointing because the airport tax has been raised. International travellers from KLIA have to pay RM65 from RM51 and RM32 from RM25 at the LCCT. Passengers have the right to expect better facilities if airport tax is raised.

According to an industry expert quoted by The Star, the cost of construction of the aerobridge will work out to be a mere 25 sen per head (Source: Talks of revamp at MAHB fizzle out http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/20/business/9335706&sec=business). I believe that this cost is justified given that it will benefit tens of thousands of passengers using this facility.

As KLIA2 is intended to serve the low cost carriers, MAHB should recognise that the low-fare travel segment is the fastest growing passenger segment in Malaysia and indeed in the world. As many Malaysians fly with low cost carriers, these Malaysians also pay the relevant airport tax. Thus, it is in MHAB's interest to provide with the necessary facilities which will enable these passengers to have decent facilities.

I also wish to express my dissatisfaction with many domestic airports in Malaysia, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, which are very unfriendly to disabled. At the airports in Miri and in Sibu, passengers are required to walk up and down the staircases to get through to the immigration counters and to board the airplanes. This design is very unfriendly to disabled. I urge MAHB to make these airports friendlier and more accessible to the disabled through the installation of more disabled-friendly facilities.

* Teresa Kok Suh Sim, DAP National Organizing Secretary, Selangor State Senior EXCO for Investment, Industry & Trade & MP for Seputeh