ceremony for the Tawau Airport upgrading project with the presence of Federal and
State officials, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, and Azam Jaya Berhad.
From left to right: Yang Berusaha Encik Surrendren Sathasivam, Deputy Secretary General (Management), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Yang Berusaha Encik Hassan bin Nordin, Secretary, Development Division, Ministry of Transport Malaysia
Yang Berusaha Encik Kamaruzzaman Razali, Chief Operations Officer, Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd
Yang Berhormat Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe @ Ginger Phoong (拿督冯晋哲), Minister of Industrial Development & Entrepreneurship Sabah
Yang Berhormat Loke Siew Fook (陆兆福), Minister of Transport Malaysia
Yang Berhormat Datuk Chan Foong Hin (拿督陈泓缣), Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia
Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Nizam Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Abu Bakar Titingan, Assistant Minister to the Sabah Chief Minister, ADUN N68 Apas
Yang Berhormat Datuk Lo Su Fui (拿督羅思輝), Member of Parliament for Tawau (P190)
Mr. Steven Andersen, Chief Development Officer, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Jonathan Lo Chaw Loong, JP (拿督罗兆龙), Chairman cum Managing Director, Azam Jaya Berhad
Sabah, 26 September 2025 – Sabah-based major road infrastructure construction player, Azam Jaya Berhad (“Azam Jaya”) (“大城集团”), appointed as the main contractor for the upgrading works at Tawau Airport in Sabah, has today participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport’s upgrading project. The event was officiated by YB Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia.
The Tawau Airport upgrading project, approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (“12MP”), reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s air transport infrastructure, particularly in Sabah. Once completed, Tawau Airport’s capacity will increase from 1.5 million to 2.5 million passengers per year, addressing rising passenger volumes which in 2024 alone reached 1.96 million, ranking Tawau as the eighth busiest airport in the country.
The scope of works includes expansion of the main terminal building, more spacious check-in, immigration and emigration areas, the addition of new aerobridges, apron enhancements, and the upgrading of flight information IT systems and air-conditioning facilities. Passengers will also benefit from modern amenities such as additional check-in counters, baggage claim areas, commercial spaces, washrooms, and prayer rooms for improved comfort.
The development also bodes well with regional shifts, such as Indonesia’s planned new capital, Nusantara, where Tawau could serve as a strategic gateway for business travellers and tourism. Collectively, these enhancements are expected to strengthen connectivity, promote business opportunities, support tourism, and reinforce Sabah’s role in regional integration and economic development.
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Jessica Lo (拿督罗文圻), Executive Director of Azam Jaya, stated,
“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone that reflects both progress and new opportunities for Sabah. As a homegrown company, we are honoured to contribute towards the state’s development by enhancing public infrastructure to enhance travel efficiency and strengthen Sabah’s appeal as a destination for commerce and tourism.”
“The Tawau Airport upgrading works are well aligned with the aspirations of the Malaysia MADANI agenda, which emphasise inclusive and sustainable infrastructure that benefits the people. Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting Sabah’s long-term development priorities, including infrastructure upgrades and rural connectivity under the 13th Malaysia Plan (“13MP”).”
To recap, Azam Jaya, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Pembinaan Azam Jaya Sdn Bhd, had secured a RM120.9 million design-and-build contract for the Tawau Airport upgrading works in August 2025, with completion expected by August 2028.
This latest project adds to Azam Jaya’s established track record in delivering major road infrastructure across the state. Together with its involvement in the Pan Borneo Highway, the Group continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Sabah’s connectivity and long-term growth.
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