The plan to re-develop the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) air base in Sungai Besi is still in the planning stages, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Ahmad Zahid said if the plan becomes a reality, the ministry would ensure that the Air Defence Operations Centre that was set up, would not be affected.

azlan "The Ministry will also ensure that relocation will only take place after proofing and commissioning procedures are finalised," he said when winding up debate on the 10th Malaysia Plan at Dewan Rakyat here today.

Ahmad Zahid said the radar system that was installed would not be affected as the RMAF has redundancies as an alternative system.

"The overall air space safety will not be affected because it will be monitored by the Sector Operation Centre," he said.

    

He said RMAF had already formed a team to study and ensure the relocation process, including the infrastructure needed, cost involved and imminent problems involved when the relocation takes place.

Ahmad Zahid said the privatization was tabled in the Cabinet by three companies, namely 1Malaysia Development Corporation which is a joint-venture with the Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), Tradewinds Sdn Bhd and Kini Wangsa Sdn Bhd.

No open tender

"However, the proposals from Tradewinds and Kini Wangsa were not considered, maybe the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had set certain criteria. So, the proposal from 1Malaysia Development Corporation/LTAT was accepted.

"The proposal is being considered but there is no letter of intend, so the ministry and EPU are studying the proposal in detail because the main requirement is for all the current assets and equipment to be transferred to another location," he said.

To a question by Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) who wanted to know why there was no open tender for the project, Ahmad Zahid said the government had always been transparent in such matters.

"This is not about an open tender but as long as the privatization does not affect the interest of the government and the property is developed below market price and the value determined by the government. I feel it is a transparent process," he said.

The Sungai Besi airport also serves as a police Air Wing, Fire and Rescue Department helicopters, Royal Selangor Flying Club and air ambulance.

The Dewan will resume on Monday.

- Bernama