Labuan needs bridge; blueprint to reboot Labuan's progress
Published on: Friday, January 19, 2018
Labuan: The duty-free island is set to return to its former glory with the launch of the Labuan Development Blueprint (LDB) 2030 by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Labuan Square, Thursday.The blueprint carries the promise of transforming Labuan into a smart and sustainable island city. The Prime Minister said Labuan has been greatly affected by the turmoil of the oil and gas sector as previously the island wholly depended on that resource which plummeted in 2015.
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Even though there has been a slight improvement in the world oil prices, the sector is still unable to achieve the level previously enjoyed. "However, with this blueprint, the island will be able to expand and diversify its economic resources as strategically planned in the Blueprint and propel Labuan back to it's former greatness," he told the 15,000 crowd.He also affirmed that the island needs a bridge connection to mainland Sabah even though some may view that it is not viable from the point of view of cost. However, the Government is looking at the bigger picture for the growth of the island in the long run. "This not a feasibility study anymore, but a study to identify the method of execution for this game-changing bridge.
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"We cannot quantify and just look at the rate of return when the bridge is set to be a catalyst for a wholesome change towards a better Labuan," he explained. The construction of the bridge too will be able to secure confidence in investors wanting to fund development plans for the island and spur economic activities here, he said.
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Aside from the blueprint, the Prime Minister also launched the People's Housing Project (PPR) and the 1 Malaysia Public Housing Project (PPA1M). Both are affordable housing schemes introduced by the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government.The PPR project costing RM107.7 million would see 500 units of multi-storey flats equipped with various facilities including a surau, nursery, kindergarten, stores, stalls and a community hall.People would be able to rent a unit for only RM124 and purchase it for RM42,000 as the government provides a RM173,000 subsidy from its original cost of RM215, 000.Meanwhile, the PPA1M is said to be 160 units of terrace houses constructed at Batu Arang with a starting price of RM190,000 which is about 40 per cent less the market price. This is achieved through a RM3 million fund from the government to subsidise the construction.These affordable housing schemes aim to provide the low-income group and squatters with the opportunity to enjoy better and comfortable housing facilities, he said.Najib also witnessed the presentation of appointment letter to the consultant engaged for the Techno-economic Feasibility Study on the Labuan-Menumbok Bridge, and signing of the Labuan Grand Prix of the Sea agreement between Labuan Development Foundation and Powerboat P1 Management Ltd.Najib commended Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor for leading the efforts towards the island's economic recovery and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan for fully supporting the construction of the Labuan-Sabah bridge.He also lauded Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Tan Sri Noh Omar for introducing the affordable housing scheme in Labuan, and Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli for continuously striving for a more developed Labuan.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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