MALAYSIA WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH BRUNEI ON BRIDGE AT PANDARUAN

LIMBANG (Malaysia), Dec 23 (Bernama) – Malaysia is prepared to cooperate
with Brunei to construct a bridge across Sungai Pandaruan which separates
Limbang, on the Malaysian side, and Temburung in Brunei.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said further discussions
would be held with Brunei to overcome the problems of communication in the two
regions concerned which still relied on the ferry service.

"We (Malaysia) have no problem to construct a bridge on Sungai Pandaruan,
but it has to be discussed with Brunei in the interest of the people in the two
regions," he said at a dinner of the people with the leader at the Suarah
Limbang Hall, here Wednesday night.

He said the construction of a bridge across the 20-metre wide Sungai
Pandaruan, which forms the boundary between the two regions, would certainly
facilitate the movement of land vehicles across the river during peak hours.

Muhyiddin said the question of cost would certainly not be a major problem,
but it must be discussed amicable for the mutual benefits of Malaysia and
Brunei.

Currently, the Malaysian government and Brunei are cooperating in footing
the operational cost of the ferry service on the river with a minimum charge of
RM8 (US$1=RM3.13) each for private cars and a maximum of RM150 each for heavy
vehicles including trailers.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said he would
announce the list of high-performance schools next month, including several
schools in Sarawak.

"The government will also ensure that all schools, particularly in the rural
areas, continue to be improved within two years from now," he added.

-- BERNAMA