Labuan-Menumbok Bridge

Bridge Between Labuan & Mainland Sabah Economically Viable
By Jailani Hassan

LABUAN, March 18 (Bernama) -- A study on the proposal to construct an 11 km-long bridge linking Labuan and mainland Sabah through Menumbok has been completed and it will be economically viable, says Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International College (UMSKAL) director Prof Dr Haji Shariff AK Omang Al Haj.

He said this to Bernama when contacted on Thursday on the comprehensive study jointly carried out by University Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Malaysia Sarawak.

The report is to be handed over to the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being this week.

Dr Shariff who is also head director of the Labuan-Menumbok Bridge Project Consultation said the study which took 11 months to complete, laid out three possible routes for the bridge, namely from the south, middle, and east side.

The eastern route would link Tanjung Aru here to Mempakul next to Menumbok on the Sabah mainland and is considered the most practical one as it doesn't interfere with the commercial shipping lane or the Labuan-Menumbok ferry path.

The middle route would go through Pulau Dahat and Menumbok (9.3km) and the southern route from the town centre here to Menumbok (11.3km)

These two routes however are considered to be impractical because they interfere with the shipping lane and also involve high construction cost, Dr Shariff said.

He said the study also put the estimated cost at a whopping RM3 billion, adding that it would rise to RM6 billion if construction is delayed.

The study also said the bridge was necessary to solve the problems of limited air access and uncomfortable sea connection, and to provide an alternative means of faster transportation in case of emergency.

The construction of the bridge, which has been long been awaited by Labuan residents and those living in Menumbok as well as the surrounding areas, can boost tourism industry. It would also provide economic spin-off to the local populace and thus benefit the whole nation.

It would not affect the air and sea transport system but on the other hand would provide more options to people travelling.

If the bridge becomes a reality, he said infrastructures of the town centre especially roads would have to be upgraded to avoid congestion.

However, the study also pointed out if the number of population rises to 200,000 in the town centre, there was possibility that the town might be paralyzed.

"Therefore, Labuan town will need to be expanded or enlarged through several sea reclamation and upgrading of the island's entire roads networks," he explained.

Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin had said that his Ministry had requested a total of RM3 billion in allocation for various development projects in Labuan and were awaiting the Economic Planning Unit (EPU)'s approval.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Labuan, Datuk Yussof Mahal, said the findings of the study augured well for the island and the people, as a whole.

-- BERNAMA