PUTRAJAYA: The West Coast Expressway, estimated to cost more than RM7bil, is an important economic link which will increase connectivity in the West Coast, especially between Selangor and Perak, said Transport Minister Datuk Sen Kong Cho Ha.

"It will also spur economic growth in the area once completed," he said yesterday.

Kong was responding to DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua’s statement which questioned the Government’s decision to revive the mega project.

Pua also alleged that the cost of the project had escalated by 134%.

It was reported that Kumpulan Europlus Bhd’s 64.2%-owned subsidiary West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd had obtained the Government’s nod to build the 316km highway between Banting in Selangor and Taiping in Perak.

A major portion, or 224km of the highway, will be tolled.

The project will be operated on a build-operate-transfer model.

Kong said the project was planned a few years ago but could not be carried out because of the country’s economic situation.

On another matter, Kong said those interested in enrolling at local flying academies for training courses should check the Department of Civil Aviation website.

He said the ministry had suspended four flying schools last year due to management and financial problems.

He added that the ministry was monitoring the suspended academies to ensure that they did not enrol students.

"We are trying to find the best solution to the problem.

"The ministry does not want students to face problems after they have enrolled as the training fees can be as high as RM200,000," he added.

He said the four suspended academies were in Sandakan, Bintulu, Johor Baru and lpoh.

SOURCE : THE STAR  |  JANUARY 31, 2012