KOTA KINABALU: A Federal Government relook at the proposed Labuan-Sabah bridge is necessary as it is a basic infrastructure that the duty-free island needs, says Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
Labuan PBS division head Datuk Peter Mak (pic) said the proposed Labuan link that would connect to the Menumbok sub-district is needed to bridge a physical gap between the Federal Territory island and the Sabah mainland.
As such, he welcomes Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s plan to revisit the bridge project.
Dr Zaliha was reported as saying that the construction of the bridge could be a “game changer” for the island as it would usher in positive economic impacts.
She, however, stressed the need for a comprehensive technical study of the project.
Mak said the bridge would boost the island’s economy and development.
He pointed out that Dr Zaliha had even cited the infrastructure as an enabler to accelerate Labuan’s development.
“Apart from being realistic, the minister is practical in her understanding of the needs of Labuan, even before her maiden visit to the island,” he said.
Mak noted that Dr Zaliha was not only looking at the bridge as a mode of transportation but also as a way to supply water from Sabah to Labuan.
“The availability of the bridge would undoubtedly bring about many socio-economic benefits to the people on both sides of the channel,” he said.
Plans for the bridge, estimated to cost RM6bil, had been on the back burner since early 2000, despite several feasibility studies done.
