GEORGE TOWN (March 6): The Penang government will continue discussions with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) regarding the expansion of the Penang International Airport (LTAPP), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

He said talks will revolve around compliance with technical issues in the LTAPP expansion project.

“With the approval from the Cabinet, MAHB will proceed with the tender for the appointment of a contractor to commence the project, expected to start this year, possibly in the third quarter.

“The discussions and the LTAPP expansion project can proceed concurrently. We will manage and expedite it,” he told reporters after officiating the 45th World Congress of the International Advertising Association at the Setia Spice Convention Centre here on Wednesday.

A total of 1,000 participants from 30 countries are attending the three-day congress from Wednesday, the first to be held in Southeast Asia.

Chow was responding to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook's statement recently that the LTAPP expansion effort, costing over RM1 billion, had received Cabinet approval.