MP REGARDS THIRD BRIDGE INAPPROPRIATE

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), June 12 (Bernama) -- Southern Johor Baharu Member
of Parliament Shahrir Abdul Samad Thursday described as inappropriate the move
to built a third bridge to link Singapore and Malaysia.

He said the construction of the bridge to link Singapore to the eastern
side of Johor at Pengerang was not desperately needed by either the people in
the country or tourists from the republic.

"My view is that construction of the bridge is not necessary. Instead, the
government should improve efficiency of the ferry service or encourage the use
of ship and boats as a mode of transport between the two countries.

"The government should make it a priority to build a new bridge to overcome
congestion at the Johor causeway," he told reporters at a function here.

He said this in response to a statement by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who
met Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in Putrajaya several days ago, that
Singapore was keen on the construction of a third bridge linking the republic to
Malaysia.

Shahrir said the use of a ferry service and boats in waters off Pengerang,
instead of a bridge, would be apt being Pengerang a recreation and resort
centre.

It would be better that the cost of building the third bridge be used to
build a new bridge to replace the Johor causeway, he added.
--BERNAMA