Gerik military airstrip to be extended to commercial use

GERIK: The Gerik military airstrip will be extended for commercial use to attract more tourist to visit the Royal Belum state Forest reserve.

Perak Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the idea of the extension came after discussions between state executive councillors  and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) here.

He said there is a lack connectivity of Belum forest to the international tourist market.

Dr Zambry said, the current airstrip in Gerik is only for military use.

“Royal Belum is a top class world destination awaiting discovery and the only way to get nature lovers to come here  is by having greater connectivity” he told reporters during his visit to the Pos Kenderung which is more than an hour’s speed boat ride from Banding Island jetty.

He said that all other infrastructures for the purpose is being prepared.

Dr Zambry said he is in talks with Berjaya Air to extend their services to Gerik when the infrastructure plan is completed.

“Berjaya Air serves from Subang airport, Pangkor and many other locations  in Malaysia, extending its service to Gerik will help to generate much greater tourism activities in this part of the country” he said.

He added among the other measures taken to encourage tourism to the place were to shorten the permit processing time to enter the forest reserve.

Before this, the permit processing took three days for Malaysians and seven days for foreigners but starting Jan 1, it only takes 24 hours for both locals and foreigners.