Published: Thursday November 12, 2009 MYT 5:42:00 PM
Malacca assembly rejects motion to scrap bridge to Sumatra
By MARTIN CARVALHO
MALACCA: The State Legislative Assembly here rejected a motion moved by the Opposition to cancel the proposed RM44bil Malacca-Sumatra bridge mega-project.
Khoo Phoay Tiong (DAP-Ayer Keroh), who moved the motion, said building such a bridge would be impractical and could end up becoming a white elephant and a huge financial burden on future generations.
“Although it is said to be a private venture, the state would eventually be burdened with the cost because it endorsed it,” he said, adding that such money could be better used to upgrade the state’s ferry terminal and airport.
Tey Kok Kiew (DAP-Bandar Hilir) questioned the accuracy of the forecasted economic benefits that would follow the bridge’s construction.
He argued that the estimates of 15,000 vehicles using the bridge daily and paying toll charges ranging from RM266 to RM301 was inaccurate.
He also questioned the safety aspects of the bridge and the possible dangers considering its location some 100km from the earthquake zone in Indonesia.
Later in his reply, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the project would be a private initiative between China’s Axim Bank and local consortium Malacca Straits Development.
“The bank has agreed to finance up to 85% of the construction of the US$13bil (RM44.2bil) bridge with the local company having to bear the remaining 15% of the cost,” he said, adding that the idea for a bridge between Malaysia and Indonesia was mooted by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said the bridge would not only spur economic growth between the two countries but also strengthen relations.
He added that the use of modern technology has made construction of large bridges common around the world despite challenges posed by natural threats.
“It is the nature of the DAP to oppose everything. I remember Lim Kit Siang opposing the construction of the Penang Bridge when the Government wanted to build it.
“However, today he is asking his son (Penang Chief Minister Lim) Guan Eng to build a second bridge,” he quipped, drawing laughter from Barisan Nasional backbenchers.
Speaker Datuk Wira Othman Mohamad later rejected calls by Opposition assemblymen to discuss the motion further with a majority of the House voting.
Meanwhile, during a break in proceedings, Mohd Ali confirmed the state had officially notified the Economic Planning Unit of the proposed project and progress between the two parties involved.
The proposed bridge, spanning some 37km, would link Malacca’s Telok Gong in Alor Gajah to Sumatra’s Pulau Rupat, Dumai and Pekan Baru.
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