PENANG SECOND BRIDGE ONE OF MANY 'GIFTS' UNDER PAK LAH'S ADMINISTRATION - PENANG LEADERS

GEORGE TOWN, April 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia benefited significantly from the contributions of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, especially his home state Penang.

One of the biggest ‘gifts’ Pak Lah gave the people of the state the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge, also known as the Penang Second Bridge, is undoubtedly Pak Lah’s biggest ‘gift’ to the people of Penang, and he announced the project in Parliament in 2003 as part of the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

The 24-kilometre bridge, costing RM4.5 billion, would not only reduce congestion at the Penang Bridge, but also spur economic growth in the industrial zone of Batu Kawan since its completion to this very day.

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Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today described Abdullah’s passing as a great loss to the country, and Penang especially, and noted that his contributions to the development of Malaysia would never be forgotten.

“On behalf of the Penang state government, I convey my condolences to the family of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over his passing today,” he posted on Facebook tonight.

Meanwhile, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said that Abdullah himself had officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the Penang Second Bridge as Prime Minister in 2006.

“The opening of the Second Penang Bridge on March 1 was a very meaningful moment… His contributions to the country will always be remembered,” he said, while Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin recollected how Abdullah would always be remembered for approving the construction of the bridge connecting Bayan Baru and Batu Kawan.

“Pak Lah has contributed greatly to the state of Penang, his home town. Penang lost a son. Penang's second Bridge is now instrumental in connecting the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone to the Batu Kawan Industrial Zone.

This bridge connection has created many high-value investments, high-paying jobs and high-tech developments,” he said.

Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong shared that Pak Lah was known as the prime minister who brought stability and emphasised moderation in local politics, and that his death was a loss for Malaysia and its people.

“Tun Abdullah, better known as Pak Lah, was a Penangite descended from a renowned preacher and served as Kepala Batas MP for eight terms and was Malaysia’s fifth prime minister,” he added.

Penang also benefited under Pak Lah’s administration, which saw the first expansion of the Penang International Airport with an allocation of RM1 billion, Penang Sentral (RM2.7 billion) and the Butterworth Outer Ring Road.

Tun Abdullah, 85, who died at the National Heart Institute here at 7.10 pm, recieved his early education at Sekolah Melayu Permatang Bertam Pulau Pinang, before furthering his studies at Sekolah Tinggi Bukit Mertajam, Sekolah Menengah Daeratul Maarifil Al-Wataniah and Penang Methodist Boy’s School.

Born on Nov 26, 1939 in Bayan Lepas, Penang, he served as prime minister from Oct 31, 2003 to April 3, 2009 after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down.

-- BERNAMA