Design, cost of two bridges linking Malaysia-Thailand to be finalised.

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the timeline, cost management and design of the two new bridges that link Malaysia and Thailand would be finalised soon. 

He said both countries should address challenges that were hampering the completion of the Rantau Panjang – Sungai Golok second bridge link and the new Pengkalan Kubor – Tak Bai bridge link. 

“Unless we complete these two key projects, it would be difficult for us to transition from the current Join Development Strategy (JDS) action plan to the second JDS action plan. 

“I urge both parties to immediately address whatever impediments so that our leaders can showcase these two projects when they meet again at the annual consultation meeting between the two countries,” he said before co-chairing the 13th Joint Commission (JCM) for Bilateral Cooperation and the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas here yesterday. 

Anifah in a statement also said both ministers had also agreed on the need to expedite the detailed design for the new bridge to ensure that they could officiate the ground breaking ceremonies for both projects next year. 

“The ministers reiterated the need for both sides to adhere to the agreed timeline in implementing the projects,” he said after meeting his counterpart Thailand Foreign Affairs minister Don Pramudwinai. 

The leaders also exchanged views on cooperation in rubber particularly on the rubber city establishment. 

“The ministers urged the officials to deliberate on a plan to link the two rubber cities to ensure that they could complement each other. 

“The designated location in Thailand is Chalung Industrial Estate in Songkhla province while in Malaysia it is Ladang Bukit Ketapang in Kedah,” he said. 

On the Southern Thailand peace dialogue, Thailand said it was committed to resolve the issue in a peaceful manner and expressed its appreciation to Malaysia’s role as the facilitator. 

“Malaysia also reiterated its continued commitment to assist in the capacity building programs particularly in education and vocational training".