Penang Gerakan has hit out at Mukhriz Mahathir, claiming his remark that Kulim International Airport only focusses on cargo aviation is merely rhetoric.

The party's deputy president Oh Tong Keong said the airport, dubbed KXP, would eventually become an international airport for both passengers and cargo.

"We can imagine once the cargo airport is opened, industry players in the Northern Region will use the nearer Kulim Airport instead of Penang International Airport," said Oh.

"This would suppress the Penang International Airport.

"Whether it is cargo or passenger freight, it will cause a great blow to Penang and affect the Penang economy," he added, in a statement.

Oh was referring to Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz's confirmation in an interview with Astro Awani last Friday that the Kulim Airport would only handle cargo and not passengers.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told reporters today that his office has written a letter to the Transport Ministry to request for a tripatrite meeting between them and the Penang and Kedah governments to find an amicable solution.

Chow said the issue will also be raised at the next Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers meeting in July.

"We hope to get a response soon from the Transport Ministry," Chow said, after attending a press conference on George Town Heritage celebrations in Penang today.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the federal government has no objection to the KXP as will be financed by private investment.

Meanwhile, Oh cited industrial zones in foreign countries, which are usually close to airports.

"The logistics of the industries are very important. Otherwise, it will affect the economy," said Oh, who is also Penang Gerakan state liason chief.

He urged Chow to understand the impact of building another international airport just 50km away from the one in Penang.

“Once there is a well-equipped international cargo airport in Kulim, which is adjacent to Seberang Perai, it will probably attract multinational companies in Penang to set up factories in Kulim," Oh said

" As a result, the Bayan Lepas industrial zone near the airport will be negatively affected."