Habibie inaugurates six bridges in Batam

Habibie inaugurates six bridges in Batam

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie yesterday inaugurated a
Rp 369.9 billion (US$26.4 million) highway with six bridges
connecting Batam island to nearby islands in Riau province, and
disclosed plans to build a bridge connecting Java and Sumatra.

Habibie said the addition of a total of 2.26 kilometers of
bridges and 54 kilometers of highway had increased the area
controlled by the Batam Development Authority by 277 square
kilometers.

"With the completion of the bridges and road, we believe that
it will boost investor interest, both domestic and foreign, in
Batam," the President said before officiating the project in a
brief ceremony in Batam yesterday.

During the one-day visit, Habibie was accompanied by his wife
Hasri Ainun Besari and several ministers, including Minister of
Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and
Coordinating Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar
Kartasasmita.

Batam and its surrounding islands, including Rempang and
Galang, are collectively known as Barelang.

The Barelang bridges connect Batam with the islands of Tonton,
Nipah, Setoko, Rempang, Galang and Galang Baru.

Habibie named the six bridges after past Malay leaders: Tengku
Raja Haji Fisabilillah, Nara Singa II, Raja Ali Haji, Sultan
Zainal Abidin, Tuanku Tambusai and Raja Kecil respectively.

Barelang's land mass covers 715 square kilometers, slightly
bigger than Singapore.

"Barelang's development as a new industrial estate is also
aimed at supporting the Singapore, Johor and Riau (triangle's)
economic growth," the President said.

Habibie was the head of the Batam Development Authority from
August 1978 until he became vice president in March this year.

He was replaced by his younger brother Jusuf Effendy Habibie,
who held the position until July. Jusuf, better known as Fanny,
was then replaced by Ismeth Abdullah.

Habibie was widely criticized during his 20 year term on the
island for spending too much money to develop Batam to a level on
par with Singapore.

Critics also said his family and relatives played a dominant
business role in Batam.

"The whole investment for the construction of bridges and the
trans-Barelang highway cost Rp 369.9 billion, all derived from
the Batam Authority's own revenues. There were no funds from the
state budget," Habibie said.

Batam is a 415 square kilometer island located 20 kilometers
south of Singapore. Last year, it earned the nation $4.5 billion
in foreign exchange and employed a 135,000-strong workforce.

In an off-the-cuff speech, Habibie said he planned to build a
bridge connecting Java and Sumatra.

He hoped construction could be completed before 2006.

"Cars and trains would be able to pass over the bridge,"
Antara quoted him as saying.

Former president Soeharto's grandson Ari Sigit had proposed to
build a 26.9-kilometer toll bridge connecting the two islands
above the Sunda Strait in 1997.

Critics say the plan is not feasible because Krakatau Volcano,
which is located in the strait, could erupt any time. (prb)