LOA for Bintulu Bare-Bones Airbase

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi (left) presenting the LOA to the Musyati Sdn Bhd representative. If you zoomed into the LOA you will know the company's name and the LOA cost. KKR picture.

SHAH ALAM: The Works Ministry on November 27 issued the Letter of Award for the construction of the Bintulu bare-bones airbase for the RMAF. The ministry however did not name the company awarded the LOA nor its cost.

However, pictures from the ceremony revealed (see main picture, by zooming) that the company is a Kuching based construction outfit, Musyati Sdn Bhd and the LOA is RM187 million. An internet search showed that the company is involved in various construction and development work from apartments, malls and even the Pan Sarawak Sabah Highway. The contract is for the design and build of the bare-bones airbase.

An edit of the main picture. One can see the name of the company, the title of the LOA and its cost. KKR picture edited.

The release said that the size of the development is 48 hectares – the size of 48 rugby fields – and located adjacent to the Bintulu airport. This means that this will be an airbase despite being called a bare bones one. Work is supposed to start this month and be completed in May 2028 – a period of 48 months. Built at a leisurely pace, I might add.
Mindef KSU Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali being briefed – likely on the site of the proposed bare-bones airbase adjacent to the Bintulu airport during a visit to the site in October 2024. Mindef picture.

The release from the Works Ministry

PELANTIKAN PENGARAH PROJEK DAN PENYERAHAN SST UNTUK DUA PROJEK UTAMA DI SARAWAK
Kementerian Kerja Raya (KKR) menerusi Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) terus komited dalam melaksanakan projek infrastruktur untuk memperkasa penyampaian perkhidmatan kepada rakyat.
Hari ini, Majlis Penyerahan Surat Pelantikan Pengarah Projek dan Surat Setuju Terima (SST) telah berlangsung bagi dua projek penting:
1️⃣ Projek Pembinaan Kompleks Bangunan Gunasama Persekutuan (BGP), Kuching
✅ Kos projek: RM140.79 juta
✅ Dijangka bermula Disember 2024 dan siap Oktober 2028
✅ Melibatkan 26 agensi persekutuan untuk meningkatkan kecekapan perkhidmatan awam dan menjimatkan kos sewaan sehingga RM6.34 juta setahun.
2️⃣ Projek Pembinaan Bare Base TUDM, Bintulu
✅ Dibangunkan di kawasan 48 hektar berhampiran Lapangan Terbang Bintulu
✅ Pelaksanaan bermula November 2024 dan siap Mei 2028
✅ Selaras dengan konsep Pangkalan Operasi Berkala (POB) untuk meningkatkan keselamatan pertahanan udara Malaysia Timur.
Kedua-dua projek ini menggunakan pendekatan Building Information Modeling (BIM) untuk memastikan pengurusan projek lebih cekap dan efektif, selari dengan amanat YAB Perdana Menteri.
KKR berharap semua kontraktor yang dilantik dapat mengekalkan kualiti kerja, mematuhi piawaian, dan menepati jadual pelaksanaan bagi memastikan projek ini memberikan manfaat maksimum kepada rakyat.

MINDEF secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali at the likely site of the bare-bones airbase. Based on this picture it is likely that the proposed airbase will be built adjacent to the Bintulu airport. MINDEF

In an earlier post, we know that the work on the bare-bones base has not started. The announcement on the development of the bare-bones base was made in September 2021.Perhaps, the leisurely pace was built in to ensure that if funding is available in RMK13 – starting in 2026 – meant that new facilities could be added to turn the bare bones airbase into a full-fledged one. The funding for the bare-bones airbase is funded by RMK12 funding.
— Malaysian Defence

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7 Comments

  1. Sudden disappearance of the “Thales on Bintulu Radar, Radios and More” topic…

    Local contractors got offended by the writings?

  2. just because its a local project hence awarded to a local company I hope it doesnt turn into like that GGK dive complex. Based on the civvie projects it seems like they have the capacity to make it but a project that spans 4 years takes a lot of financial & resources commitment on the contractor. AFAIK Govt projects are paid by phases of completion so a longer leadtime helps them to stretch payments, but not so good for vendors that wants to get it done fast and move on.

  3. As for why barebones, perhaps it lacks certain aspects, maybe storage & reload for munitions, and maybe lack of hardened bunkers?

  4. It is likely the squadron manning the Thales GM400 Alpha which is located nearby. At the moment AFAIK, there is no plans to have a flying squadron there permenantly.

  5. Disappearance of the “Thales on Bintulu Radar, Radios and More” topic…

    A very different article indeed,a good read, if only I did the “save page”. I suggest next interview with Leonardo.

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