KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Razak said yesterday the government may study the possibility of reviving a project to replace the Malaysian side of the Causeway with a bridge.
The S-shaped bridge project had been cancelled by then Premier Abdullah Badawi in 2006. -- PHOTO: BH MALAYSIA
Asked about the call by the Johor Sultan that a bridge be built to replace the Causeway, Datuk Seri Najib said that a study would have to be carried out first. The government had to consider the legal and financial implications and also the position of the Singapore Government, he added.
Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ismail raised the suggestion during a ceremony to mark his 52nd birthday on Monday.
He said having a new bridge would make it convenient for people travelling to Singapore and back, and would encourage tourism. The Sultan made similar remarks in June for the revival of the bridge project that was cancelled four years ago.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had proposed building a bridge to replace the Causeway when he was prime minister. The plan was later changed to an S-shaped or 'crooked' bridge on Malaysia's side of the Causeway. When Mr Najib's predecessor Abdullah Badawi became the premier, he cancelled the project in April 2006.
Johor politicians have voiced support for the Sultan's call. Johor Baru Malaysian Chinese Association Youth chief Kua Song Tuck touted the ecological benefits, saying it would be 'a win-win for both Johoreans and Singaporeans'. A new bridge would solve the traffic jams at the Causeway, he said.
Johor Malaysian Indian Congress secretary M. Asojan said the Sultan had done his own research on the positive aspects of building the bridge. He added the federal government would give the matter serious consideration. Johor Parti Keadilan Rakyat chairman Chua Jui Meng said the call was timely. 'However, it must be done without burdening the country in terms of debt,' he said.
BERNAMA, THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Sultan Johor Calls For Bridge To Replace Causeway
Bernama 22 Nov 10;
JOHOR BAHARU, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Sultan Ibrahim of Johor today called for a new bridge to replace the causeway to Singapore.
Speaking at the investiture ceremony to mark his 52nd birthday here, he said the bridge would be convenient for people travelling to Singapore and back and encourage tourists from the neighbouring country.
"I appreciate that the government is caring and constantly striving to tackle problems facing the people. However, there is one wish of the people of Johor that has yet to be fulfilled, and that is for a bridge to replace the causeway," he said at Istana Besar (the main palace).
Replacing the causeway would enable water at the strait to flow unhindered and at the same time improve the environment, he added.
Present at the ceremony were his consort, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Tunku Temenggong Idris Iskandar and President of the Johor Royal Council Johor Tunku Osman Tunku Temenggong Ahmad.
Also at the ceremony were Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and his wife, Datin Prof Jamilah Ariffin, state executive councillors and assemblymen and senior government officials.
The Sultan urged the people to live in a spirit of give and take and moderation, and to respect one another without regard to race in line with the johor government's motto "Muafakat Itu Berkat (Consensus Is a Blessing)."
He said that community leaders should strive to unite the people and emphasise the common good rather than individual or political interests.
"In Johor, the people, regardless of whether they are Malays, Indians or Chinese, are all citizens of my state. The rights and interests of everyone will be protected. So do not rake up the past that might cause dissatisfaction and arouse suspicion," he said.
The Sultan advised the people to seize the opportunities resulting from rapid development in the state, including jobs being offered in the Iskandar Malaysia development region.
He also announced the establishment of Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim which will give scholarships to poor students and medical and other assistance to senior citizens and the disabled.
He said the foundation would be funded by the royal allowance that he received.
The Sultan conferred the titles "Duli Yang Maha Mulia" on Raja Zarith Sofiah and "Yang Amat Mulia Enche Besar" on his mother, Hajah Khalsom Abdullah.
He also conferred on Hajah Kalsom "Darjah Kerabat Pangkat Pertama", the highest state award, and "Pangkat Pertama Datuk Seri Setia Sultan Ismail Johor" on Tunku Temenggong Ismail.
--BERNAMA