Should We Revive the Plan to Build a Bridge Linking Sumatera – Peninsular Malaysia?

Still, there was some objections from both sides. 

From Indonesian side, the ambitious plan should not be put into priority, citing that integrating Indonesia’s economy is more important thatthan building such a risky mega project. Mr. Hatta Rajasa, the then economic coordinating minister of Indonesia, said that Indonesian government (SBY administration) put more focus on building Sunda Strait brigde. 

And in 2015, the administration of President Joko Widodo (SBY successor) would not pursue the plan to build a bridge between the islands of Java and Sumatra. 

Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli, a researcher from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia who has done studies on the bridge proposal, said planners will have to figure out the impact on the environment and on shipping. Also, he said, economic benefits beyond palm oil are limited. “Unlike Malacca’s proximity to Kuala Lumpur or even Singapore, Dumai is not near any of Indonesia’s major cities… The bridge is still not viable enough yet.” 

From the environmental front, such a huge project would not only adversely affect the coastal ecosystems on both shores of the bridge; it would also affect the Strait as a whole, from hydrological, environmental and economic perspectives.

The movement and speed of currents would be changed by the existence of pillars holding up the bridge, and could potentially alter the nature of the Strait.  

 Also, upon completion, the bridge would connect the Malay Peninsula with the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with major seismic activities, and is exposed to the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis.

So, should we revive the plan? 

sumber: https://seasia.co/2018/02/06/should-we-revive-the-plan-to-build-a-bridge-linking-sumatera-peninsular-malaysia