View Full Version : Thai-Malaysia Bridges-TMB2 Opening
Could it be that this Mega-Bridge will also raise the ire of the environmental lobby?. I sense a cancellation coming on now that the election is too long ago & too long in the future!:-
http://www.thaisnews.com/printfriendly.php?id=85796
ประจำวันพุธที่ 25 กุมภาพันธ์ 2547
THAILAND – MALAYSIA BRIDGE TO BE BUILT
The Thai and Malaysian governments have agreed to build a bridge connecting the two countries, for bilateral benefits on transport, tourism, and trade.
The Director-General of the Department of Highways TERDSAK SEDTHAMANOP (เทิดศักดิ์ เศรษฐมานพ) said that the bridge will be built from WEANG (แว้ง) district in NARATHIWAT (นราธิวาส), to Kelantan state in Malaysia.
Mr. TERDSAK and the Malaysian Director General of Public Works Department Tan Sri Dato Ir Zani Bin Omar have signed the Memorandum of Understanding for this project.
Mr. TERDSAK said that the 120-kilometre long bridge will be built across the KOLOK (โกลก) River in NARATHIWAT. Thailand and Malaysia will equally share the 70 million baht budget. The Malaysian Public Works Department will study and design the bridge; while the Department of Highways will help with the investigation and will give advice on the construction.
All right, a "120-kilometre bridge"..... seems they want to outdo the failed Laem Phak Bia Project!
I have crossed the Sungai Kolok River before, but cannot remember it being that wide....... :p
One wonders how long it will be before some nutter pulls this following 'monster' bridge project out of the woodwork:-
http://www.hamline.edu/apakabar/basisdata/1997/11/10/0002.html
BT Online - 8 Nov 1997 - KUALA LUMPUR
SEA bridge project to start in '98
MALAYSIA, Thailand and Indonesia are to start work early next year on a
10 billion Malaysian ringgit (S$4.7 billion) bridge project linking
the three nations, the national Bernama news agency reported
yesterday.
The announcement came after both Malaysia and Indonesia over the past
two months announced that major infrastructure projects would be
deferred due to the region's financial upheaval.
Bernama quoted the project's officials as saying design and
construction of the 200 km long bridge will come from a private
four-member consortium representing the three countries, and Japan.
The officials and businessmen were attending the
Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) group meeting in
Perak yesterday.
The Malaysian company will be East West Bridge Corp Berhad, a member
of the Tiara Etika Group. Thailand will be represented by Sri Uthong
Company Ltd, Indonesia by the Latief Group and Japan by Chiyoda Corp,
Bernama said.
The bridge is intended to be a road and rail link, as well as oil and
gas pipeline, between Penang in Malaysia and Songkhla in southern
Thailand. The idea was mooted in 1994 by the IMT-GT.
Officials said the project would serve all three nations. This means a
separate 95 km bridge between peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia's
province of Sumatra would be built to complete the link.
Indonesia's President Suharto first approved the bridge project, which
would be the world's longest, in August. But the plan was postponed in
mid-September under deep, wide-ranging spending cuts to help cope with
currency and stock market turmoil.
jpatokal
23-10-05, 11:00 AM
One wonders how long it will be before some nutter pulls this following 'monster' bridge project out of the woodwork:
95 km!? How on earth were they going to pull that off, and do you have a map of this thing -- wouldn't it make much more sense to build the bridge further down south near KL, where the Straits of Malacca are at their narrowest, instead of up north near Penang?
The present bridge at Sungai Golok is a bit dated, but I rarely see that much vehicular traffic crossing it. What I'm really wondering is if any progress at all has been made on the Tak Bai Bridge, which is a much bigger construction challenge over a tidal stretch of the Golok River. No one seems to know if it is being built, has been built or has been put on hold. Sattelite photos of Narathiwat Province show nothing as yet. From a security point of view it would probably be safer for cross-border traffic to follow the coastal 4-lane highway to Tak bai than cut across country to Sungai Golok through some of the real terrorist badlands of places like Sungai Padi. Let me know if you receive any info on the Tak Bai bridge, as it is a bit of risk to go and check these things unless you have some very necessary business:
Cross-border bridge to Malaysia to improve security, says Thai Supreme Commander
BANGKOK, March 23 (TNA) - Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to build a cross-border bridge, more clearly demarcate the mutual border and conduct joint border patrols as well as annual military exercises, according to Thai Supreme Commander General Boonsang Niampradit.
In a press conference, attended by his Malaysian counterpart Gen. HJ Abdul Bin HJ Aziz -Zainal, the Thai supreme commander disclosed that construction of the Thai-Malaysian border bridge will begin early next year to link Su-ngai Kolok district of Thailand's Narathiwat province with Kelantan state of the neighbouring country. Construction will take about nine months to complete.
The cost of building the bridge, estimated to cost about one billion baht (US$28.5 million), will be equally shared between the two countries, Gen. Boonsang said.
With a Thai-Malaysian bridge, the authorities could more efficiently monitor and regulate daily border crossings by local residents on either side, the supreme commander said.
The Thai and Malaysian armed forces have agreed to conduct joint border patrols in border areas of Satun province and Malaysia's Perlis state and Narathiwat province and Kelantan state. A marine patrol will also be jointly operated on the Kolok River marking the Thai-Malaysian border.
The Land Ex Thamal exercise is scheduled annually between the Thai and Malaysian armies, while the Sea Ex Thamal and Air Ex Thamal exercises are scheduled semi-annually with the Thai and Malaysian navies and air forces respectively. (TNA)-E008
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28568
The present bridge at Sungai Golok is a bit dated, but I rarely see that much vehicular traffic crossing it. What I'm really wondering is if any progress at all has been made on the Tak Bai Bridge, which is a much bigger construction challenge over a tidal stretch of the Golok River. No one seems to know if it is being built, has been built or has been put on hold. Sattelite photos of Narathiwat Province show nothing as yet. From a security point of view it would probably be safer for cross-border traffic to follow the coastal 4-lane highway to Tak bai than cut across country to Sungai Golok through some of the real terrorist badlands of places like Sungai Padi. Let me know if you receive any info on the Tak Bai bridge, as it is a bit of risk to go and check these things unless you have some very necessary business:
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28568
Thai PM inspects 2nd Thai-Malaysian bridge
NARATHIWAT, Aug 24 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont Friday inspected construction progress of the second Thai-Malaysian bridge in this southernmost province, stressing that the span should be completed by year end to mark the 50th anniversary of Thai-Malay relations.
The bridge links Bukit Bunga in Malaysia's northern state of Kelantan with Ban Buketa in Narathiwat's Weng district.
Foundation piles are being driven and some piers are being built on the Thai side while land clearance on the Malaysian side is about 80 per cent complete.
The agreement to build the bridge was signed in early 2005. The cost of construction is estimated at US$2 million, with both countries agreeing to share the expense equally.
Gen. Surayud said after arriving at the site that he wanted to get first-hand information as to why progress on the Thai side has been delayed in comparison with the Malaysian construction. He planned to report the matter with his Malaysian counterpart Abdulla Ahmad Badawi when the two meet in the near future.
The premier said the second bridge project should be completed within this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Malaysian relations.
The bridge is designed to facilitate transport of goods and travellers between the two countries, he said.
It will be the second bridge across the Golok River that forms part of the boundary between the two countries. The first links Rantau Panjang in Kelantan to Sungai Golok district in Thailand.
In another development, some 200 business men and entrepreneurs in the nearby province of Yala called on the Finance Ministry to speed up the tax exemption and reduction measure to help shore up their businesses in the special development zone. The measures were approved by the cabinet on December 19 last year but have yet to be implemented. (TNA)-E003
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31248
On the face of it, Waeng District seems a rather strange place to build the Second Thailand-Malaysia Border Bridge - even given the fact that it is probably not a particularly ambitious or expensive project.
Around the Ban Buketa bridge construction site are quite a few mosques, but nearer Waeng District Office there are a lot of 'Nikhoms' - that is settlements established by the government decades ago to resettle army veterans and even landless North-Eastern Buddhists on largely unused land. The idea was, of course, an attempt to partially dilute the Muslim hold over the region. It doesn't seem to have had that much effect, in reality. Indeed, I suspect that some Buddhists are beginning to move away from Waeng, as they are from most parts of the deep south. So Waeng has become - in effect - a Buddhist enclave surrounded by Thai Muslims and Malaysian Muslims. The Second Thai-Malaysia bridge could thus be seen as an attempt to reduce the isolation of the enclave, and to provide it with better trading opportunities to help it to survive.
The possibility of a Thailand-Malaysia Bridge in Tak Bai District was probably dealt quite a blow by the Tak Bai Massacre. It has been suggested to me that a Tak Bai Bridge has the disadvantage to the government that its Thai landfall is within a very Muslim area that continues to have a considerable degree of unrest. This is despite the fact that the road connections to Tak Bai, on both sides of the border, are probably more direct and safer than more inland routes.
The site of the bridge is about 10 kms south of Waeng District Hall, and about 30 kms from Sungai Golok on reasonably good roads. You will note that there is already a main road spur to the site, which probably indicates that there is already a considerable cross-river border trade at this point. Here's an approx. 1:255,000 map scan that shows the approximate location of the bridge:
http://i18.tinypic.com/4kwiee8.jpg (* Look out for a magnifier cursor in some browsers to clarify this image.)
26 August 2007
PM affirms Thai-Malaysia Friendship Bridge to be completed within 2007
The Prime Minister reports that the Thai-Malaysia Friendship Bridge in Narathiwat province will be completed by the end of the year.
Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont revealed that his recent visit to Malaysia to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi involved discussions of the Thai-Malaysia Friendship Bridge which is currently under construction in Waeng (แว้ง) district of Narathiwat province and the Sultanate of Kelantan (Kota Bharu) in Malaysia. The bridge is 40-50 meters long and is 50 percent completed. Gen. Surayud is confident that the bridge will be fully complete by the end of the year.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008260012
Although, I suppose it is possible that the bridge design was modified to incorporate longer - and cheaper - approach embankments. Also the 40-50 m length in the most recent report could be just the span, while this report includes the entire length of construction work:
Border villagers want bridge built (Thailand) 13/09/05
Narathiwat _ Local residents have voiced disappointment at the delay in construction of a bridge to link Thailand and Malaysia in Narathiwat's Waeng district, saying it would revitalise ailing border trade. They said there had been little progress since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Badawi signed a memorandum of understanding on the 110-million-baht project in October last year.
The 120-metre-long bridge across the Sungai Kolok River will link Ban Buketa village in the district with Bukit Bu-nga in Malaysia's Kelantan state. It is part of a bilateral project aimed at facilitating trade and transportation across the border and will serve as a permanent border crossing.
The villagers said only Malaysia has made some progress, erecting a foundation pillar on the construction site on its side of the river.
''It has almost been a year since the foundation stone was laid, and we still use long-tail boats to cross the border,'' said Abdulrofah Sama-ae, mayor of tambon Loh Jude, where the project is located.
The villagers want the the bridge, first proposed in 1994, completed as soon as possible, said Mr Abdulrofah.
Link expired:
url: http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Sep2005_news08.php [16.09.05 21:35 - admin]
http://www.worldbridgenews.com/default.asp?id=1&mnu=1&ACT=5&content=27
It also explains that the delays were caused by border demarcation:
KL, Bangkok to discuss delayed bridge
Published on June 22, 2005
Thai and Malaysian officials will meet in Bangkok next month to solve a “technical problem” that has caused an eight-month delay in the construction of a second bridge across the Kolok river linking the countries.
The problem erupted after Malaysia wanted its territorial responsibility to fall in the middle of the bridge rather than at the official border demarcation line, which is five metres from the Malaysian side.
Thailand wanted the bridge’s territorial responsibility line to be the same as the official boundary line.
Thailand apparently agreed with Malaysia’s plan to share equal responsibility of the bridge, but it wanted to maintain publicly and officially that the borderline is as demarcated.
The construction of the bridge linking Narathiwat’s Waeng district with Malaysia’s Jeli district in Kelantan State was originally due to be completed by February next year.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Malaysian counterpart, Abdullah Badawi, signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the Bt 80-million bridge in October last year.
The bridge will be about 130 metres long, excluding approach roads from both sides.
Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon visited the bridge construction site earlier this month during a trip to Kelantan State.
A Foreign Ministry team led by permanent secretary Krit Garnjana-goonchorn met Malaysian officials last week and agreed to another meeting in Bangkok next month.
A part of the Joint Development Strategy (JDS), the bridge is aimed at facilitating trade and transportation across the border.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Economic Planning Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the bridge would enable Thais and Malaysians to travel and increase understanding between them.
“When the construction of the bridge is completed, there can be more trade and contacts with Thailand,” he said.
The Jeli MP for the ruling United Malays National Organisation party also said
the JDS project would help peace efforts in Thailand’s
deep South and create jobs to increase the income of locals on both sides.
“Economic development will help tackle the root cause of violence in the South,” he said.
Marisa Chimprabha
The Nation
Jeli, Malaysia
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/06/22/regional/index.php?news=regional_17790560.html
http://www.sinchew-i.com/images/photo/2004/10/13/0024b.jpg
This report says 120 meters long and estimated 600 million baht construction cost:
New Thai-Malay bridge started
Published on October 15, 2004
Construction of the long-awaited bridge linking Thailand and Malaysia in the southernmost province of Narathiwat will raise hopes of greater economic development in the impoverished and violence-plagued region.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Malaysian counterpart, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, yesterday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the second Golok Bridge, linking Buketa village in Narathiwat’s Waeng district to Bukit Bunga in the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
Mahama Sordi, a resident of Buketa, was among hundreds of villagers waiting in a heavy rains for the arrival of the two leaders.
“In all my life, I’ve never seen the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia come to my village,” said Mahama.
First proposed in 1994, the 120-metre concrete bridge will cost Bt60 million to build. The two countries will share the cost equally. It should be completed in a year.
“I have been waiting to see this bridge built for more than a decade,” said Isma-ae Meangsamong, 58.
He said the bridge would make it easier for him to take durians from his orchard to sell in Malaysia. It will also make it easier for him to visit relatives in Bukit Bunga.
Up until now, people have used long-tail boats to cross the border, paying Bt5 per trip.
This will be the third international border crossing between Thailand and Malaysia in Narathiwat, after the Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok checkpoints.
Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim, chief of Malaysian Customs at Bukit Bunga, said the bridge will benefit Thais more than it will Malaysians economically, because more goods from Thailand are sold in Malaysia.
Approximately 200 people cross the border here each day.
Travellers are normally required to have a passport or border pass to cross, but there are exceptions for familiar faces who cross as part of their daily lives, Abdul said.
It is common for Muslims in the South to have relatives in Malaysia. The artificial boundary of the two nations does not keep them apart.
The Malaysian prime minister said in Phuket on Wednesday the bridge project projects “a good signal” that the two governments wish to encourage a free flow of people between the two sides of the river.
However, tighter security measures will be put in place as part of government efforts to prevent militants from using the bridge to seek refuge in Malaysia.
Abdullah said that frequent border-crossers will use a new ID equipped with security features. Information on the cards will be shared between the two states.
Weerachat Jehdoloh, 41, a religious leader in Buketa, said the bridge would help promote economic activity, but would not bring peace to the region.
The two governments believe that economic development will help tackle the root cause of Islamic militancy in the long run.
Rungrawee C Pinyorat
The Nation
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=139854
Construction of 2nd Thai-Malaysian bridge completed end - 2007
NARATHIWAT, Sept 2 (TNA) - The second Thai-Malaysian bridge now under construction in this southern Thai province is expected to be completed before the end of 2007, according to Narathiwat deputy governor Nipon Narapitakkul.
Mr. Nipon said the bridge construction is now over 50 per cent complete and he believed it should be finished before the end of the year.
But problems remain on the construction on the Thai side as the government has not yet compensated owners for land appropriated, Mr. Nipon said.
The second bridge links between Bukit Bunga in Jeli, Kelantan and Buketa in the Thai southern border district of Waeng in Narathiwat. The cost of construction is estimated at US$2 million, with both countries agreeing to share the expense equally.
The bridge is designed to facilitate transport of goods and travellers between the neighbour countries.:confused: :D
The first bridge links Rantau Panjang in Kelantan to Sungai Kolok district, also in Narathiwat. (TNA) -
E111
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31410
The view from the Malaysian side is no so optimistic about the completion date. These articles seem to be reached a gradual consensus that the bridge is 120 meters long. Took them long enough to figure that out!: ;)
September 02, 2007 19:14 PM
Thailand Wants Speedy Completion Of Bridge At Bukit Bunga
JELI, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Thailand hopes the goodwill bridge along the Malaysia-Thailand border at Bukit Bunga here can be completed earlier than schedule to further boost relations between the people of the two countries, Jeli Member of Parliament Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.
He said the hope was expressed by Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont when he (Mustapa) met him recently.
"Prime Minister Surayud wants the close relations between the people of both countries to be translated with the completion of the bridge and it is for this reason that he does not have any problems with the bridge construction," he told reporters after launching the Bank Rakyat service for the Koperasi Perserta-Peserta Rancangan Felcra Gugusan Gemang Berhad here today.
The project, costing more than RM50 million, involved the construction of the 120-metre long bridge linking Bukit Bunga here and Buketa in Thailand, as well as the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.
Work on the project began in May and is scheduled to be completed middle of next year.
"I visited the site of the bridge project last week and so did Surayud who was visiting South Thailand," said Mustapa.
Asked for the reason in the delay in getting the bridge project off the ground despite the agreement signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Oct 14, 2004, Mustapa said it was due to unforeseen circumstances, like the weather, because heavy rain, especially during the monsoon, could affect construction work.
"This matter has to be looked thoroughly before construction can take off," he added.
In another development, Mustapa, who is also Higher Education Minister, called on local banks to set up offices in Jeli for the convenience of residents in the district.
"At present, they have to go to Tanah Merah which is about an hour's drive from Jeli," he added.
At present, only Bank Pertanian, Affin Bank and recently, Bank Rakyat, have opened branch offices in Jeli.
Also present at the function were Bank Rakyat Chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim and its Managing Director, Datuk Kamaruzaman Che Mat.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com.my/
One truly wonders why this bridge in such a remote area has suddenly taken on such significance to PM Surayud:
Thailand-Malaysia bridge to open in Dec
(BangkokPost.com) – Thailand and Malaysia are expected to forge even closer ties after the Thailand-Malaysia Friendship bridge opens on December 14.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi are both expected to attend an official ceremony to declare the bridge open, according to sources.
The bridge links Wang district of Narathiwat province on the Thai side to the state of Kelantan in Malaysia.
Narathiwat governor Karan Supakitwilekkan explained that the bridge was a symbol of friendship between both countries and said that more bridges have already been planned.
“The next bridge will probably begin in Sungai-Kolok district of Narathiwat. (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=14065&postcount=1) It will allow the two countries to exchange cultural and educational knowledge and, in turn, help boost each other’s economy,” he said.
May expire soon:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122283
06 November 2007
Interior Deputy Minister monitors construction of 2nd Thai-Malay Friendship Bridge
Deputy Minister of Interior Pol.Lt.Gen.Teeravut Butsriphume (ธีรวุฒิ บุตรศรีภูมิ) says he traveled to monitor the construction of the second Thai-Malay Friendship Bridge in Waeng (แว้ง) District, Narathiwat province, scheduled to be completed on December 15.
According to the deputy minister, the bridge is constructed to celebrate Malaysia’s 50th Independence Anniversary and the 80th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King of Thailand.
Pol.Lt.Gen.Teeravut says the bridge will be an important route for the delivery of import and export goods of the two countries after it is officially opened for use. He also expects that the bridge will bring prosperity to the Southern border provinces and calls on residents living near the construction site to cooperate with the constructors to complete bridge in time.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter05
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011060019
Second Thai-Malaysia Bridge To Open On Dec 21
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The second Thai-Malaysian bridge linking Narathiwat and Kelantan would be officially opened by Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Dec 21.
Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul said the opening would add another wonderful chapter in relations between the two countries and further facilitate people-to-people contacts in the area.
The US$2 million bridge links Bukit Bunga in Jeli, Kelantan on the Malaysian side and Buketa in Thailand's southern border district of Waeng in Narathiwat. The construction cost was shared by the two countries.
Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Shaarani Ibrahim said the opening of the bridge, designed to facilitate cross-border travel and movement of goods, would further strengthen relations between the two nations, especially among those staying on both sides of the border.
Major works on the bridge have been completed and would be ready for use by the time the two prime ministers open it, he said at the launching of the commemorative book titled "Rajaphruek and Bunga Raya: 50 Years Of Everlasting Friendship Between Thailand and Malaysia 1957-2007" at the Thai Foreign Ministry here last night.
The first bridge links Rantau Panjang in Kelantan and Sungai Golok district in Narathiwat.
Virasakdi said the Thai Foreign Ministry published the book to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Thailand-Malaysia diplomatic ties. A total of 3,000 copies of the book in both Thai and English have been printed.
Named after the national flowers of both countries, the book traces the development of Thailand-Malaysia relations since the 19th century and, among others, highlights royal visits, ambassadorial experiences, academic cooperation and comments by investors.
It also contains rarely seen documents and pictures from national archives in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
"There have been many success stories and fruitful cooperation in the relations between Thailand and Malaysia. So we decided to collect these historical events for publication on this golden anniversary. We hope it will enable both the Thai and Malaysian public to appreciate the centuries-old friendship," said Virasakdi.
In his message, Abdullah said the book would be a valuable reference that reflected the close relations between the two countries and provided readers with a chronology of the development of bilateral ties from the beginning to the present time.
Surayud said after 50 years of both good and hard times, Thailand and Malaysia had become more than neighbours with shared borders as they were now close friends and allies, bound together by strong historical ties and mutually beneficial responsibilities.
-- BERNAMA
Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/
The author would like to wish all Muslims Id al 'Adha and Christians a Merry Christmas. And to all, a Happy New Year.
Imran Yacob
Special to The Nation
Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob is a lawyer and political commentator based in Kuala Lumpur. He writes for numerous international newspapers/online journals. He can be contacted at imran.yacob@gmail.com.
Spot the strong anti-Thaksin sentiments in this article! indeed even some veiled criticism of the present governments in both Thailand & Malaysia.:eek:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/12/21/opinion/opinion_30059769.php
A new bridge of understanding
Published on December 21, 2007
Today marks the opening of the second bridge linking the troubled southern Thai province of Narathiwat and that of Kelantan, Malaysia. The bridge, built at a cost of approximately US$2.77 million is dwarfed by its political and social importance.
The fact that this bridge - connecting Bukit Bunga in Jeli, Kelantan and Buketa in Thailand's southern border district of Waeng in Narathiwat - has been completed at all is a story worth recounting. The construction delays and behind-the-scenes political wrangling almost got the better of the project. Increased violence in the south of Thailand had long ago dissipated any heightened anticipation of better days in those troubled provinces. Indeed, 2007 could be the bloodiest year yet for ethnic Thais of Muslim-Malay ethnicity.
Malaysians - in particular those from the northern states of Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Kelantan, known as the Malay heartland - had reconciled themselves to the fact that their kin living over the porous Thai-Malaysian border would be further divided from them by increased border patrols and tightened security at major immigration entry and exit points. Thus, this second bridge represents a faint hope for the great things Malaysia and Thailand can achieve in continuously seeking a solution to the conflict. The megaphone diplomacy of the ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is now long shut off and supplanted with constructive diplomatic negotiations.
Cultural exchanges organised by both governments that involve the affected people of the south of Thailand are laudable. The ethnic Muslim Malays of the strife-torn region must see first hand the developments that have engulfed Malaysia, where race and religion fits in her modernisation. Small steps in education cooperation, Islamic instruction, as well as economic integration between Malaysia and the south of Thailand are crucial despite how critically they are viewed when juxtaposed against the long-running conflict in the south of Thailand.
The well -rehearsed opening ceremony for this second bridge is also a reflection of the state of affairs in Malaysia and Thailand. The people of southern Thailand now brace themselves for another round of promises and pledges of amity from the powers-that-be in Bangkok. The scepticism about this same old song resonates among the people of the South.
The sense of despair must be countered through the resilience of the southern people. They must stand up against evildoing that is castigated in Islam and the Thai authorities must extend a firm helping hand in creating the necessary elements for stability. Easier said than done - but so is apportioning blame, which is aplenty and goes all around.
Events in Malaysia in the run-up to national elections, predicted to be held in the first quarter of 2008, have churned up the ugly side of Malaysia. Beleaguered Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will be facing the fight of his life as the now vocal discontented segments of Malaysian society challenge the authorities in street protests. These elements threaten to teach the Barisan Nasional, or ruling coalition, a lesson in the impending elections. Racial chauvinism and bigotry as well as unhappiness over the distribution of wealth in this prosperous nation poses the possibility of election embarrassment for Abdullah Badawi.
It is inconceivable, however, that the present government will be thrown out at the polls, as popularity surveys conclude that Abdullah Badawi still commands majority support, particularly in the rural areas. Therefore, the launching of this bridge is timely, as it enhances Abdullah Badawi's stature and stewardship in foreign relations, especially to the Muslim Malays of the northern states. The bridge also comes at a time when Malaysia's bilateral relations with its closest neighbour, Singapore, are somewhat cold despite assertions of a new positive chapter in cross-straits relations.
The Iskandariah Development Region in Malaysia's southern tip of Johor, which was meant to serve as an economic hinterland for Singapore, has met with strong historical opposition to the island state's major involvement in the project. Similarly, relations with Indonesia are also tense because of migrant issues and a host of cultural faux pas.
This bridge of understanding is more than a physical structure. It is a monument to both nations and the rich cultures that resides within. Thai Muslims of Malay descent are now a distinct mix of heritages and lineages formed by way of historical fate.
The debate rages on in Malaysia about race and religion. This complex multi-religious and multi-cultural nation is perhaps unparalleled anywhere else in the world. But Malaysians have always fought for peace and stability above all else. Whatever it is that divides Malaysia, the love for public safety and zeal for economic progress is paramount.
It is hoped that the increased cultural and economic communication through the bridge will be the beginning of many other bridges to be built. Fittingly, it is a milestone in celebrating Malaysia's 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Thailand, even while conceding that the potential for cooperation between the two nations is far from complete. Let us not allow suspicion and past hatred to negate the strides we have made in bringing Thailand and Malaysia that much closer.
The author would like to wish all Muslims Id al 'Adha and Christians a Merry Christmas. And to all, a Happy New Year.
Imran Yacob
Special to The Nation
Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob is a lawyer and political commentator based in Kuala Lumpur. He writes for numerous international newspapers/online journals. He can be contacted at imran.yacob@gmail.com.
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3283/20071221t041128450x300uez5.jpg
Link to article with video of the opening ceremony:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/12/21/regional/regional_30059855.php
PM presides over opening of Thailand-Malaysia bridge
(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont presided over the opening of Kolok Bridge II with his Malaysian counterpart on Friday morning in the southern border.
The bridge links between Wang district of Narathiwat and Kelantan of Malaysia.
The opening ceremony of the bridge was held from 9.30 to 10.30am.
The premier is scheduled to return to Bangkok in the afternoon.
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December 21, 2007 14:20 PM
Second Malaysia-Thailand Bridge Opened
JELI, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The second bridge across Sungai Golok along the Malaysia-Thailand border, which is expected to spur economic growth and further enhance bilateral relations, was officially opened by the prime ministers of the two countries today.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Thai counterpart, Surayud Chulanont, chalked up another milestone in 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries when they signed the plaque in the middle of the RM9.2 million bridge to mark the opening. The bridge took 11 months to complete.
In his speech which was televised live in Malaysia and Thailand, Abdullah said the opening of the bridge, which links Bukit Bunga in Jeli with Ban Buketa in Narathiwat, would contribute to the growth of economic and social activities for the benefit of the peoples on both sides of the border.
"This is no ordinary bridge. It is a project planned and identified under the Joint Border Development Strategy which was started in 2004," he said.
He said the bridge was truly a bridge of friendship in several ways, especially when it was a project jointly undertaken by both nations.
Present were Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsongkram, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Higher Education Minister and Jeli MP Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
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Wisarut
26-12-07, 01:11 PM
More route for smugglers (ant armies0 after open this bridge .... :rolleyes:
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