SABAH TO MAKE PLEA ON LABUAN BRIDGE

KUALA PENYU: The State Government hopes the Federal Government will study the possibility of building a bridge linking the Federal Territory of Labuan and Menumbok, on the mainland.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the State would submit a proposal for the construction of the bridge to the Federal Government.

"Construction of the bridge can indirectly contribute to the economic growth of Menumbuk, Kuala Penyu and Labuan," he added.

He said this in response to a statement by Federal Territory and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin that the government was looking into ways to shorten the travelling distance between Menumbok to Labuan.

However, Raja Nong said although the Government had agreed to do a study on the feasibility of such a project, it was not made as a promise.

His statement was criticised by various quarters, including the opposition, which said the bridge proposal was discussed for 15 years and abandoning it was like dropping a bombshell to the island's 90,000 residents and countless others on the mainland.

More so when RM5 million was spent on a joint study involving Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak whose findings showed that a bridge was essential in view of the unpredictable and poor ferry service and coupled with the limited access to the duty-free island.

Meanwhile, Musa said the Government has never neglected the fishing community in Sabah and is committed to develop the state's fishing industry.

Musa, who is also the State Finance Minister, said various incentives were made in the national and state budgets to lift the living standard and well-being of the fishing community.

This included bringing in modern technology from the west to develop the state's fishing industry for the benefit of local fishermen.

As such, the people should appreciate efforts made by the Government to transform the fishing industry, he said when opening the Fishermen's Festival at Pantai Mempakul, Menumbok here.

Musa advised the fishing community there to not be influenced by the claim made the opposition parties that they were left out in the country's mainstream development.