Leaders hail Labuan Bridge feasibility study
LABUAN: The approval for an allocation to carry out a feasibility study on the bridge construction to link Labuan to Sabah mainland, as unveiled in the Budget 2018, has received full support from Labuan leaders, describing it as the ‘biggest present' to the people of Labuan and Sabah.
Labuan Member of Parliament Datuk Rozman Isli said the approval as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would pave the way for the longstanding issue to materialise, a big boost to Labuan's economy.
“This is a big present to the people of Labuan and Sabah...the door has opened and the rest of the process will be rapid and I am sure the bridge construction will become a reality soon,” he said in response to the Budget 2018 unveiled by the Prime Minister in Parliament yesterday.
Rozman described the feasibility study that would eventually lead to the bridge construction was ‘a game changer' that would give huge positive impacts economically to the whole region including Sabah and northern Sarawak.
“Big changes will happen not only in Labuan but even bigger to Kuala Penyu and Beaufort especially Menumbok,” said Rozman, who is also the Labuan Corporation chairman.
He thanked the Prime Minister, Federal Territory Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and the Sabah Government for agreeing to and supporting the bridge construction.
Rozman said once the bridge was constructed, the Labuan Airport would play a bigger role in serving a bigger number of people and the market.
A reliable source told Bernama the feasibility study is estimated at RM14.31 million and the bridge construction will take about three to four years.
“Once the project is fully completed, the journey by road from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu will be shortened to one and a half hours compared to more than two hours from Menumbok to Kota Kinabalu, in line with the Pan Borneo Highway project,” the source said.
Parti Bersatu Sabah Labuan Division head Datuk Peter Mak said the party was delighted and grateful with the announcement by the Prime Minister, for approving a feasibility study on the Labuan-Sabah (Menumbok) bridge.
“This announcement has been long-awaited by the people of Labuan who have been disappointed many times before this.
“PBS Labuan whole-heartedly thanks the Prime Minister for listening to the plight and aspiration of the people of Labuan...this shows Datuk Seri Najib is a caring Prime Minister who cares for all Malaysians from all regions of the country.
Peter said it also proved the Barisan Nasional government was an inclusive government by the people, of the people and for the people.
“We believe that the proposed bridge will substantially benefit both Labuan and Sabah and will be the game changer for both sides of the channel in our common endeavour for the people's prosperity,” he said.