Decision on bridge next year

The Cabinet will decide on a proposed bridge linking mainland Sabah to Labuan once a detailed study is completed next year.

Allaying notions that the proposed RM3bil project has been shelved, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a detailed feasibility study was still being carried out by the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry.

“We expect the study to be ready sometime next year and the Cabinet will discuss it before making a decision,” he said in a dialogue with federal and state civil servants here yesterday.

Amidst growing political calls for a bridge to link Labuan island with Sabah’s mainland in Menumbok, Muhyiddin said that apart from the cost factors of the proposed bridge, the study would also look into the socio-economic impact of the bridge.

“We have to see if the project would benefit both the people of the island as well as those in Sabah,” he said. The question of the bridge was among the questions – ranging from Sabah immigration requirements to Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia benefiting foreigners in Sabah – handled by Muhyiddin who is on a two-day visit to Sabah.

Earlier Muhyiddin said civil servants must work together with the government of the day to implement plans for the benefit of the people and the country.

“Although the civil service is separated from the political leadership, civil servants must stand by the principles and goals of the political leadership of the day,” he said.

Later, a downpour did not deter him from having a walkabout in busy Jalan Pantai.

The Deputy Prime Minister spent about 30 minutes shaking hands and talking with the business community people there.

Source: The Star