Views from Penang

It is widely viewed in Penang that a second bridge is needed as there is heavy traffic on the existing bridge throughout the day.
[Image by TheStar.]

Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon:
"This will not only benefit the local people but also those from the neighbouring States. The Second Bridge project was a key infrastructure project and serves as an additional link from the mainland to the island, hence the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, not only for passengers but for cargo as well. "I am happy to note that the project will enhance the potential of the whole of the northern corridor which brings about multiple spillover effects."The monorail project confirms the commitment of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in ensuring a more integrated public transportation system for the State. "On the part of the State Government, we will work closely with the Federal Government to facilitate both projects, especially in term of land acquisition, settlement of structures and related matters."

Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, State Local Government Committee chairman:

"Once built, the monorail will serve as a reliable public transport system for the people and we hope there will be less dependence on private cars to get around."Besides helping ease jams on the road, the two projects will improve the quality of life, help boost the tourism sector and bring more investments."The second bridge will help ease the over-capacity at the Penang Bridge and boost economic activities."

Datuk Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff, chairman of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (northern region):

"It is imperative the projects take off as soon as possible. The second bridge is needed for traffic dispersal and will assist industries with operations on the mainland to transport goods to the island faster."The monorail is also urgently needed, given the problems encountered by the public with taxi and bus drivers."

Equine Capital Bhd executive chairman Datuk Patrick Lim:

"The Second Bridge will certainly provide a boost to the State’s construction industry. Residents can look forward to enjoying a better quality of life. "More people can stay on the mainland as it will not be a problem for them to commute daily to the island to work. We can expect Seberang Prai to experience a major boom."

Businessman Rafiq Abdul Razak, 34, from Batu Kawan who runs a chain of restaurants:

"Pak Lah understands the problems of the people in Penang, I think the people will definitely welcome his decision. We have been waiting for the announcement for a long long time. A second bridge will attract more investors and tourists to the State."The authorities must be far sighted and should plan for more lanes in the proposed bridge and not repeat the same mistake as in the existing bridge."

Businessman R. Swaran Singh, 42:

"It is a gift to the people of Penang by the Federal Government. We have been tolerating the traffic jams on the existing Penang Bridge for the last 10 years."

[via NST.]

Second bridge will benefit northern corridor

PENANG: The second bridge project will have multiple spillover benefits for Penang and neighbouring states, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said.
“This shows the Prime Minister’s commitment in improving infrastructure in the northern region,” he said.
“The second bridge is a key infrastructure project for the robust and coordinated growth in the northern corridor.”
Dr Koh said the close proximity of the second link to the Penang International Airport was important for the air cargo industry, which had been growing rapidly in the last 10 years.
“We anticipate that it will bring in cargo especially from South Thailand,” he said, adding that the state’s satellite city of Batu Kawan was expected to see an economic boom. The second bridge will link Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the island, which is near the Penang International Airport.

[via TheStar.]

UEM Group Awarded Second Penang Bridge Project

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The awarding of the second Penang Bridge project to Malaysia's leading conglomerate, UEM Group is expected to further boost the profile of the group, say industry analysts here.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced the awarding of the project to UEM, which is wholly-owned by Khazanah Nasional, the government investment arm. The group, which is actively seeking overseas projects, has been awarded the concession to build, manage and operate and maintain the second Penang bridge project.

An industry analyst told Bernama that the vote of confidence given by the Malaysian government, would assist the UEM Group in securing overseas projects. In announcing the award, Abdullah cited UEM's extensive expertise and experience and the fact that it is the concession holder for the existing Penang Bridge as the winning factors. The second bridge to Penang Island is expected to solve traffic woes on present Penang Bridge.

Abdullah said the Cabinet also gave the green light for the Penang monorail and second Penang bridge projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) to be built through the private finance initiatives(PFI). The 24km bridge is estimated to cost RM2.8 billion and will connect Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai to Batu Maung on the island. The analyst said with the expertise, capabilities, experienced manpower, strengths, track record, financial resources, and sound management, the project would be completed as planned.

It would also raise the group's future earnings, he added. UEM Group has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing infrastructures and value-added services in six core industries namely expressways, engineering and construction, healthcare, environmental services, property, manufacturing and information communications technology. Among projects undertaken by the group include the construction of the North-South Expressway, the ELITE highway. UEM Group has also contributed to designing and constructing some of Malaysia's top infrastructure projects. As for its overseas ventures, the group has successfully acquired expressway projects in the Philippines, India, and the Middle East. The group's share price on the stock exchange is expected to see an impact following the positive news.

[via BERNAMA.]

Through the PFI, Abdullah said the financial risks associated with the projects would be borne by the private sector while the government could use their expertise and efficiency to undertake complex infrastructure projects.

The government would provide the support and facilitate the undertaking of these projects by the private sector, he said.

This showed the government's commitment to further streamline the privatisation programme via the PFI, besides encouraging the private sector to be the catalyst for economic growth.

[via BERNAMA.]

[Image by NST.]