Labuan:Artifice of a FloatingWorld?

[GWR]

Universiti Sabah to conduct Labuan-mainland bridge study

LABUAN: The government has appointed Universiti Malaysia Sabah to conduct a feasibility study to build a bridge between this offshore financial centre and mainland Sabah.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said that the feasibility study is expected to cost about RM5mil and a letter appointing the university to carry the task would be sent soon.

The study would include the benefits of building a bridge between Labuan and Menumbok, on the mainland in southwestern Sabah.

“We have to see if it is beneficial or otherwise,” Zulhasnan said here on Wednesday.

The building of a bridge that could cost about RM550mil was among the island’s development master plan.

Zulhasnan also said that the laying of a 25.7km second water pipeline from Sabah’s Beaufort district to the international offshore financial centre was underway at a cost of RM200mil.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/18/nation/20070718165846&sec=nation

[GWR]

Labuan bridge will benefit all, says Musa

By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: A bridge from Labuan to mainland Sabah is important towards the development of the island, Sabah and also for Sarawak.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said setting up a bridge would bring about a direct “win-win” situation for the federal territory of Labuan as well as the Klias peninsula in south-western Sabah.

“We are keen to pursue the plan for a bridge between Labuan and the mainland as its benefits are immense,” Musa said after launching Sabah Progressive party think-tank Progressive Institute of Public Policy and Analysis (PIPPA).

The newly-formed PIPPA, headed by former deputy chief minister Datuk Tham Nyp Shen, is carrying out a feasibility study on the proposed 8km bridge and would provide the state with a report.

Musa said that such feedback on various concepts by an independent non-government linked think-tank will get the support of the state in the measures to develop various industries in the state.


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/5/nation/20080105151230&sec=nation

[GWR]

2008/05/15
Floating city for Labuan

LABUAN: The country's first and biggest floating resort smart-city is being planned here.
The proposed project will include commercial complexes, residential neighbourhoods, a golf course and integrated marine-related facilities.

The development would involve the reclamation of 10,500ha of land fronting the federal territory island.

Estimated to cost RM70 billion, the ambitious development would be undertaken by a consortium of local and foreign companies led by Mafa Groups Corporation Sdn Bhd.

The companies are MS Azam Holding Sdn Bhd, Naturelink Industries, Corejati Sdn Bhd, Nccorp Netcomm Technology Sdn Bhd, Rockwell Minerals Trading of the Philippines and Pac Asia Construction and Development Corporation of Japan.

The joint-venture agreement for the mammoth project was signed at the Grand Dorsett hotel here yesterday. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Labuan member of parliament Datuk Yusof Mahal.

Yusof said the project would change the face of the island and transform it into a thriving and bustling metropolis.

He said the proposed project was in line with Labuan's status as an international offshore financial centre and duty-free island.

"If it materialises, the project will greatly benefit the people on the island," Yusof said, adding that the project would also hasten the proposed construction of a bridge linking Labuan and the Sabah mainland.

Mafa Groups managing director Kamaruzzaman Abu Samah said the proposed development had already been approved by the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department.

Scheduled for completion in 15 years, work on the project will begin once the environmental impact assessment report is completed.

"It will be an environment-friendly floating smart city," Kamaruzzaman said.

Funding for the project will be from external and internal sources.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2240707/Article/index_html