KUALA LUMPUR – Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong has slammed Melaka executive counsellor Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh for his “irresponsible” statement on a purported 120km route linking Melaka to Dumai in Indonesia.
He said Rauf’s announcement on the project was devoid of crucial details on how it would be properly carried out and can create confusion among the general public, while also negatively affecting investors’ sentiments towards the state.
“This is not the first time Rauf has announced such a plan,” Khoo said.
“Earlier in March 2022, he had announced that the Melaka government was planning to build a 47km undersea railway tunnel linking Melaka and Dumai, which would take four to five years to complete.
“Now in September 2022, he has announced that the proposed route will either be a 120km bridge or undersea tunnel, which would take twenty years to develop.
“Rauf and the state government should stop making ad-hoc, inconsistent, and incomplete announcements on the project.
“Such vague announcements are highly irresponsible. It creates doubt and confusion among the public and investors, and tarnishes the state government’s credibility,” said Khoo.
Khoo urged the state government to engage with stakeholders transparently, and disclose the feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis that has been done for the project.
“Rauf should stop making generalised claims that the proposed bridge will be economically beneficial for the country without proper facts and analysis,” added Khoo, who is DAP’s assistant national organising secretary.
As executive councillor, Rauf is in charge of the Melaka Investment, Industry, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee.
Regarding further concerns with the purported structure going over or under the Strait of Malacca, Khoo noted that it could cause massive environmental effects.
He cited Ade Maman Suherman and Hazmi Rusli in Indonesia, who were quoted by the media last year there as revealing that a similar project had undergone an initial feasibility test more than a decade ago.
“It was estimated that such a project would cost more than RM52 billion while causing major environmental damage and navigational hazards and congestion for ships in the Strait of Malacca,” he said.
Khoo also urged the state government to be transparent on terms and conditions imposed on a private company that plans to undertake the project.
He noted that Rauf mentioned the project would be conducted by a private company and the government would not have to bear any cost.
“In the interest of transparency, Rauf should disclose the name and details of the company involved in this project, including its credentials and financial capabilities to undertake such a massive project.
"No private company would undertake such a project out of charity,” he said.
“What are the terms of the concessionaire and in what ways would the people or government be made to pay for the project?” – The Vibes, September 9, 2022
