Published: Thursday June 18, 2009 MYT 12:05:00 PM
Updated: Thursday June 18, 2009 MYT 2:50:34 PM
Sultan of Johor rejects third bridge proposal (Update)
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor Sultan Iskandar Ismail has rejected the proposed third bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore.
He did not give a reason for rejecting the proposal and only said that he did not agree with the proposed plan during his state assembly opening speech Thursday.
Tunku Mahkota Tunku Ibrahim Ismail read his speech and delivered the Sultan’s decree (titah) during the first state assembly to held in Kota Iskandar here.
The Sultan’s impromptu decree caught everyone off-guard similar to when he vowed to reclaim Pulau Batu Puteh or Pedra Branca at the launch of the state assembly last year.
The Sultan, who had earlier arrived at the assembly in the morning at about 11am, was in the state assembly complex when his son delivered his speech.
Meanwhile, Tanjung Surat assemblyman Datuk Harun Abdullah said that he agreed with the Sultan’s statement.
“As a Johorean, I must follow the Sultan’s decision,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has been reported as saying that the construction cost of the third bridge linking Singapore and Malaysia will be borne by both countries if it takes off.
The decision on when construction could begin would depend on the outcome of a feasibility study. He said the bridge could help bring development to the eastern side of Johor up to Desaru and Mersing and even benefit Rompin and Kuantan in Pahang and parts of Terengganu.
Sultan Iskandar also reminded the people to be confident that the state has a strong economic foundation despite the current economic downturn.
“Every party must embrace the government’s moves to build a successful economy. “I am confident the state will continue to prosper at every field that will benefit the people.
“The prosperity in the state will continue if the rakyat stand strong and true to the constitution. The people’s unity must be maintained so that all can live happily,” he said.
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