DPM's outright rejection of Labuan bridge proposal a shock and a disgrace

Kota Kinabalu, Friday, July 23, 2010: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee today sait the Deputy Prime Minister's outright rejection of the Labuan bridge proposal on financial grounds came as a shock to the people of Labuan and mainland Sabah and a disgrace to the government.

"At the very least, the DPM should have given the proposal a chance at the mid-term review of the 10th Malaysia Plan in two years' time. So much high hopes have been given to the people of Labuan when Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was given RM5 million to conduct the feasibility study, of which only RM1.4 million was spent.

"The DPM has brushed aside the immense positive economic and social impact that would benefit Labuan and mainland Sabah, especially the Klias Peninsula, once the bridge has been completed. Travelling between Labuan and the mainland would become safer, faster and open 24-hour daily. Labuan's international airport would become a viable hub for travellers between Labuan and Sabah, northern Sarawak and even Brunei. The direct beneficiaries of the Labuan hub are Labuan, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Beaufort and the surrounding areas.

"Tourism, investment and commercial activities would flourish which in turn will bring tax revenues for the government, eventually far exceeding the RM3 billion cost of the bridge.

"With the influx of visitors from mainland Sabah, Labuan's tourism and commercial potential would be enhanced. At the moment, thousands of tourists turn back to Kota Kinabalu after visiting Kuala Penyu and the Klias Peninsula, after watching fire flies and proboscis monkeys, instead of going across the sea to visit Labuan. Vice versa, tourists to Labuan are denied the variety of tourism assets in mainland Sabah. This impediment to travel and to economic prosperity would be eliminated if the bridge were built.

"SAPP calls on the Sabah State Government and the leaders of Labuan to pursue the Labuan Bridge proposal vigorously in the same way the State Governments of Johore and Penang had successfully pursued their respective bridges to Singapore and mainland Peninsular Malaysia. SAPP undertakes that the Labuan Bridge proposal is a priority of the Sabah State Government once it takes over the administration of the State.