60-Km Bridge Across Melaka Strait
Proposed
MELAKA, April 18 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government Tuesday
suggested the construction of a 60-km bridge linking Melaka to
Dumai in Sumatra, Indonesia following the cancellation of the
scenic bridge that links with Singapore.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the project was
estimated to cost between RM1 billion and RM2 billion.
It would have greater economic potential because the Sumatra
population had reached 70 million compared to Singapore with only
four million, he told reporters here.
Earlier, he attended a briefing and had a dialogue with Agriculture
and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Seri
Negeri.
Mohd Ali said the Melaka-Dumai bridge had been pondered over when
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the prime minister.
"It was mulled in 1995 or 1996 but died down because of the
financial crisis hitting hard both countries in 1997," he
said.
He said the the project could be undertaken by the governments or
the private sector.
Mohd Ali said he had conveyed the proposal to Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Saturday when attending the Negeri
Sembilan and Johor Umno Divisions Leadership Course at a civics
camp in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.
"I believe the bridge can boost the tourism and trade sectors
between the two countries," he said.
The scenic bridge to replace the Johor Causeway was called off by
the Prime Minister for the best interest of the nation.
