Controversial Bridge Linking Malacca To Sumatra Returns From The Dead
The Malacca-Dumai bridge, set at 48.96km, would be the longest bridge in the world to cross the seas. But will it do more harm than good?
By Mei Mei Chu — 16 Oct 2013, 03:13 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Malacca government has revived the controversial Malacca-Dumai, Indonesia, bridge project across the Straits of Malacca after 7 years of silence
Malacca government has revived the controversial Malacca-Dumai, Indonesia, bridge project across the Straits of Malacca after 7 years of abandonment
Image via imgur.comThe 48.96km long bridge which is located at the busiest international shipping waterway, is set to be the world's longest sea-crossing bridge
The 48.96km long bridge which is located at the busiest international shipping waterway, is set to be the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world
Image via imgur.comThe Malacca-Dumai bridge was first proposed in 1995 but was abandoned during the 1997 Asian financial crisis
First proposed in 1995 but was forgotten when the Asian financial crisis occurred in 1997
Image via imgur.comThe idea of the bridge was first mooted in 1995 to foster new economic opportunities, especially in trade and tourism, between the two countries but died down during the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
malaysiandigest.comIn 2006, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam reinstated the RM44.3 billion project admists objections with a funding agreement from the Bank of China
Ali Rustam revived the idea in 2006, but it was also abandoned following public resistance to the idea.
Image via themalaymailonline.comIn 2006, the plan was later reinstated by the then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam but later received strong objection from several quarters and environmentalists.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
He also announced that the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China had agreed to finance 85% of the link’s total cost, then estimated at RM44.3bil.
thestar.com.myThe proposal was submitted to the Economic Planning Unit with details on how the bridge would stimulate economic activities between the peninsula and Sumatra.
themalaysianinsider.com
On 16 October 2013, Malacca CM Datuk Seri Idris Haron announced that the Malacca-Dumai bridge was discussed during a forum with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand
On 16 October 2013, Malacca CM Datuk Seri Idris Haron announced that the Malacca-Dumai bridge was discussed during a forum with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand
Image via malaysiaedition.netMalacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said finer details of the project, linking Teluk Gong in Malacca to the port of Dumai in Sumatra, would be disclosed once all mechanisms were in place.
themalaysianinsider.com
“The project was discussed during the 10th Chief Ministers and Governor’s Forum of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle convened in Koh Samui, Thailand on September 12,” said Idris yesterday.
yahoo.com“The forum took note of the economic potential and strategic positioning of the IMT-GT with the construction of the Malacca-Dumai Bridge,” Idris was quoted as saying yesterday.
themalaymailonline.com
Straits of Malacca Partners Sdn Bhd has conducted a feasibility study
On 16 October 2013, Malacca CM Datuk Seri Idris Haron announced that the Malacca-Dumai bridge was discussed during a forum with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand
Image via picamatic.comInsights on a feasibility study on the bridge undertaken by Strait of Malacca Partners Sdn Bhd were given during the meeting.
malaysiandigest.comThe company had earlier appointed the Hunan Provincial Communi-cations Planning, Survey & Design Institute of China to prepare documents pertaining to the study.
malaysiandigest.comThe bridge is expected to receive objections from environmentalists as it will affect the coastal ecosystems and change the nature of the Strait
The bridge is expected to receive objections from environmentalists as it will affect the coastal ecosystems and change the nature of the Strait
Image via themalaysianinsider.comIt is anticipated that such a huge project would not only adversely affect the coastal ecosystems on both shores of the bridge; it would also affect the Strait as a whole, from hydrological, environmental and economic perspectives.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
The movement and speed of currents would be changed by the existence of pillars holding up the bridge, and could potentially alter the nature of the Strait.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
From the environmental perspective, the project would encroach the nesting grounds of the hawksbill turtle as the construction site of the bridge on the Malaysian side would be around Padang Kemunting, an important nesting area for this species of marine animal.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
The bridge, linking the Malay Peninsula with Sumatra, would be exposed to the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis
Upon completion, the bridge would connect the Malay Peninsula with the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with major seismic activities, and is exposed to the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
The 2004 tsunami incident that ravaged Aceh manifestly demonstrated that the region is exposed to these kinds of natural calamities. Should the bridge take a direct hit from another tremor or a tsunami, it is likely to be badly damaged.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
According to Indonesia afternoon daily Suara Pembaruan, the president rejected to support the bridge four years ago as it would lead to the depletion of Sumatra's resources
The Indonesian president said four years earlier he had turned down a request from Malaysia to support the construction of the Malacca Strait Bridge because the construction of such a bridge would facilitate the depletion of resources in Sumatra "by Asia".
themalaysianinsider.com
This is the second controversy to stir up in Malacca since GE13. In June, Malacca CM Idris Haron shocked the nation when he announced the closure of Jonker Walk
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