KL, S'pore to start bridge talks

KL, S'pore to start bridge talks

MALAYSIA: Malaysia and Singapore will resume talks later this month to discuss bilateral issues including the construction of a new bridge across the narrow strait separating the neighbors, a news report said on Friday.

Malaysia has proposed that the two jointly build the bridge, which it says would ease congestion for the more than 100,000 people who each day cross the existing causeway connecting them. But Singapore has yet to agree to the project, saying it is still gauging its likely economic impact.

Officials from Malaysia and Singapore will meet to discuss the bridge and other bilateral concerns on Oct. 19, the New Straits Times reported.

Malaysia has informed Singapore that it will build its portion of the bridge and link it to the causeway in the hope that the structure can be completed whenever Singapore is ready to build its part, the Times reported. Officials could not be immediately reached to confirm the report.

The neighbors last held talks on Sept. 7, but no official statement was issued after that meeting. -- AP