Bridge of opportunity: Ahmad Zahid is proposing the bridge be named Tuanku Sultan Nazrin Shah Bridge.
BAGAN DATUK: The 1.5km-long Bagan Datuk Bridge across the Perak River, linking Bagan Datuk and Kampung Sejagop in the Pasir Salak parliamentary constituency, has opened.
The opening of the bridge was symbolised with the flagging-off of a cycling team and a group of motorcyclists on high-powered motorcycles by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday morning.
Earlier, he launched a new route for the Ekspres Mara Liner Sdn Bhd stage bus service in Bagan Datuk. It was held at the Masjid Tuminah Hamidi grounds here.
Ahmad Zahid, in his speech at the bridge opening ceremony, suggested the bridge be named the Tuanku Sultan Nazrin Shah Bridge.
He said he would seek an audience with Perak’s ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah to get the Sultan’s consent and to officially open the bridge.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the bridge would boost investment and development.
He said so far three investors had sent letters of interest to him regarding their proposals to set up one dockyard and two factories to produce heavy and electric vehicles (EVs) as well as batteries.
The deputy prime minister (left) flagging off the cycling team yesterday morning. — Bernama
The Bagan Datuk MP said the proposed ventures were expected to create 10,000 job opportunities, and he would coordinate approval for these applications with local authorities, the state government and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
“In fact, Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) has agreed to ‘convert’ the existing GiatMara in Hutan Melintang in the Bagan Datuk district to help produce skilled TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) manpower for the proposed dockyard and factories,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the heavy vehicle factory would be built by a listed company which is already involved in light passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturing.
On the EV and battery manufacturing plant, he said it was proposed by a vehicle company from China.
He added that a Turkish company had also met him regarding a proposal to build a shipyard, as there was a high demand for repair and maintenance services by merchant ships plying the Strait of Malacca.
“I have started discussions on these three proposed projects and will take follow-up action,” he said. — Bernama
