Labuan: The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to realising the people’s long-held aspiration of seeing the proposed bridge linking Labuan to mainland Sabah materialise. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said a technical study contract for the project was awarded in May this year and is expected to be completed by November next year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government is committed to looking at the potential of the proposed bridge to connect the island to mainland Sabah. To ensure that commitment is realised, a contract for a study has been awarded, which is expected to be completed on schedule. This announcement was made by Amir Hamzah after officiating the 35th anniversary celebration of the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) at the Labuan International School auditorium today.

The study will involve detailed mapping and an assessment of the economic spillover and long-term benefits of the bridge. Amir Hamzah emphasized that the bridge is seen as the best way to induce increased growth, and the government has honoured its promise to move this forward. He further added that enhanced connectivity aligns with the region’s development needs and necessary measures would be taken to support Labuan’s future growth.

Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that the study would be undertaken by a special task force under her department. The study will examine various aspects, including feasibility, engineering, environmental, and financial implications. An initial budget of RM500,000 has been allocated for this exercise.

The proposed bridge, expected to stretch 17.5 kilometres, aims to ease travel between Labuan and Sabah, which is currently served only by ferries. It is projected to foster greater economic and social integration in the region. Dr Zaliha described the construction of the proposed bridge as a potential ‘game-changer’ that would boost the island’s economy by improving connectivity and fostering growth.