Jakarta supports KL's idea on bridge

Jakarta supports KL's idea on bridge

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indonesian President Soeharto agreed in talks here yesterday with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to consider building a bridge to link the Malaysian peninsula with north Sumatra.

They also agreed to study Indonesia's proposal that ships use an alternate shipping route through the South China Sea to Japan to ease congestion in the narrow Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia.

"The two leaders agreed that the proposed bridge is a good idea and the two governments should discuss it further," Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas told a news conference after the meeting between the two leaders.

Alatas said they agreed that the private sector should fund the bridge project, which, he added, would enhance transport between the two countries.

"For such a project, it is primarily the private sector that ought to come up with the capital," Alatas said.

Indonesia also plans to build internal bridges to link Sumatra with Java, Java with Bali and the Batam islands with other Indonesian islands.

On the alternate route to ease congestion in the Malacca Strait, Alatas said the leaders were concerned over the heavy passage of large ships in the waterway, especially of bulky oil tankers and the risk they posed.

"We have offered a route south of Java, upwards through the Lombok straits to South China Sea and Japan as an alternative," Alatas said.

Both agreed Singapore should be involved in further discussions.

Shippers say more than 600 vessels, about a third of them oil tankers, freighters and large ships, use the strait each day.

Touching on bilateral economic issues, Alatas said Mahathir revealed Kuala Lumpur's intention to continue expanding its investment in Indonesia, especially in industrial and agricultural projects.

Indonesia, he said, would welcome labor-intensive industries now being relocated out of labor-starved Malaysia, he said. Soeharto returned home late yesterday, wrapping up a 24-hour visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.