Second Penang Bridge to now cost over RM3b

By : Phuah Ken Lin

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the second Penang Bridge is expected to cost more than the original estimate of RM3 billion.

This, he said, was due to the rising cost of building materials.

Koh said he would have a meeting with UEM Builders Bhd and the main contractor, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), today to discuss the issue.

“I will discuss with UEM and CHEC on the revised cost structure and technical aspects of the new bridge.

“Rising cost of building materials such as cement, iron bars and earth has rendered the current RM3 billion estimates unrealistic,” said Koh after speaking at the Rosettanet Global Community and Partner conference yesterday.

Koh said the RM3 billion figure was based on estimates that was done years ago and was thus not reflective of the current cost of building materials.

He was commenting on a statement by UEM managing director Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh on the projected increase in construction cost.

Ridza said UEM would work within the new budget.

“At this moment, UEM and CHEC have yet to finalise the revised cost.”

Koh said as the bridge was a mammoth project, it would take some time for the developers to work out a new figure.

CHEC is set to begin pile testing for the 22.5km bridge, which will link Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai and Batu Maung on the island, this month.

The bridge is expected to ready by January 2011.

UEM subsidiary, UEM Construction Sdn Bhd, has formed a consortium known as CHEC-UEMC to build the bridge, with CHEC holding a 51 per cent stake and UEM the remaining stake.

The bridge will be the longest in Southeast Asia.

At the Crossroads – Malaysia

How part of the Rakyat feel…

Malaysia 1st Angkasawan

The headline for today paper is none other than our first angkasawan, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is off to space on board of a Russian rocket.
PM described is as a “defining moment” that renews the nations’ drive in the field of science over the next 50 years.

The cost for this defining moment is RM95million funded by Rakyat’s money.
Do you feel proud or inspired? Do you dream to become the next one? I feel pretty weird on this, its not our technology nor our rocket.

Have you asked what is he being sent up there for? To fulfil his dream? my dream? Your dream? the Rakyat dream? or some other’s dream?
Which side are we as Rakyat on? The winning side, or the losing side, or the very blur tak-apa-tengok-saja side?

Maybe we should feel proud, anyhow we funded him to get on the rocket.

RM95million devided by 25million Rakyat, that’s about RM3.80 from each of us (from newly born to near death).

Next step: our science and technology minister just said that moon landing is targeted on 2020. but haven’t mentioned on whose rocket.

BBC interviews Malaysia Foreign Minister

Here’s the inveterview that is supposed to air on BBC channel ASTRO, but being taken off the air for whatever reasons there is.
Anyway, dear fellow Rakyat, here’s our spokesman in shaping foreigners’ view point on Malaysia.
Is he speaking of for what you have in mind?

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3: