PETALING JAYA: Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman has agreed with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that a proposed bridge connecting Labuan to mainland Sabah is not a priority although “it must be built” soon.
Suhaili was responding to a recent statement by Anwar that the bridge was not an immediate priority for the government.
On Dec 7, the prime minister said the government preferred to focus on resolving the fundamental infrastructure challenges faced by the people rather than commit to multi-billion-ringgit development projects which can be deferred.
“He (Anwar) made a very clear point that we must settle water and electricity issues first as this has affected the livelihoods of the local people.
“The bridge does not affect the livelihood of the people,” Suhaili told FMT.
He said while the bridge was important, its construction would be meaningless if the people of Labuan could not enjoy reliable electricity and water supply.
“The challenge is that if the bridge is to be government-funded, then it’s going to cost RM4 to RM6 billion.
“The government does not have the funds right now,” said Suhaili.
According to Anwar, RM300 million has been allocated in the Malaysia Madani Budget 2024 to address Labuan’s water supply issues.
Suhaili also said the bridge project had been pending for so long due to frequent changes in government.
“We accept that it (the bridge) is not a priority, but we want it to be built.
“The minute water and electricity issues are over in Labuan, the bridge construction must begin,” he said.
Meanwhile, Daniel Doughty, chairman of the Labuan Chamber of Commerce (LCC), commended Anwar for his commitment to resolving Labuan’s perennial challenges, particularly in respect of the island’s lack of power and water infrastructure.
“The citizens of Labuan are optimistic that a tangible resolution is on the horizon, thanks to the prime minister’s efforts to address these critical issues,” he said.
Daniel however said that while the LCC acknowledged the financial constraints mentioned by Anwar as the basis for putting aside the bridge project, there were economic advantages to its construction.
“We propose reconsidering the public-private partnership for the construction of the Labuan bridge or, alternatively, a reassessment of the relocation of the Roro ferry terminals to Tanjung Aru in Labuan and Mempakul, Sabah, accompanied by the construction of new CIQS facilities at both locations.
“This would significantly improve connectivity and reduce travel time between the two shores,” said Daniel.
The proposed Labuan bridge project was announced under the Labuan Development Plan (1997-2015) and repeated in Labuan Corporation’s new development plan for 2020.
Over the past 26 years, various federal territories ministers have signalled the project’s commencement, only for it to stall without much progress. - FMT
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