9 years on, MP holds out hope for Labuan-Sabah bridge

 Suhaili Abdul Rahman says the proposed 17.5km bridge is ‘still on Putrajaya’s radar’.

Labuan is likely to reap a lot of benefits, from economic growth to social development, if the government proceeds with a plan to build a bridge to link the island to Menumbok. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 It’s been nine years since it was ditched, but Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman remains hopeful that a bridge to connect Labuan Island to Menumbok on mainland Sabah will be built eventually.

Suhaili said the proposed 17.5km bridge was “still on Putrajaya’s radar” with a works ministry study ongoing, after a similar review launched in 2018 was later cancelled by the federal government.

The three-term MP told FMT he discussed the proposal with Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor, and that they were both on the same page: the project is necessary and will benefit the people of Labuan and Sabah greatly.

“The bridge will serve as a catalyst for Labuan’s economic growth and reduce the prices of goods (through lower logistics costs) while easing access to the island, especially in the event of an emergency.

“There will be no need to wait until daylight to send patients referred to hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, which is currently the case because there is no ferry service at night,” he said.

Suhaili also expressed hope that the bridge will be built within five years after it is approved by the government.

For years, there have been repeated calls for a bridge from Labuan to Menumbok to ease travel and foster economic growth and social development in the region. Now, commuters between Labuan and Sabah have to rely on the ferry.

A feasibility study was first launched by the Najib Razak administration in January 2018 but was scrapped by the Pakatan Harapan government after Barisan Nasional fell.

A RM2.88 million grant allocated to Labuan Corporation for a feasibility study on the project was returned to the finance ministry in October 2024 because the proposal was scrapped by Putrajaya.

However, Labuan Corporation said a new study being undertaken by the works ministry was launched in May last year and is expected to be completed in November 2026. - FMT