'Kra canal not doom for KL ports'

'Kra canal not doom for KL ports'

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's plan to build a canal along the Kra Isthmus would not spell doom for Malaysian ports even though business would be hit, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Monday.

The Kra canal -- which would allow vessels bound for the Pacific Ocean to bypass the Malacca Straits -- has been discussed in Thailand for centuries without any firm conclusions being made on whether it is viable.

Mahathir said construction of the canal would not mean the end for Malaysia even though its ports would be affected.

"I am sure even if you build the canal, it does not mean others will have to close shop. They built the Suez Canal (but) Cape Town is still there. When they built the Panama Canal, it did not mean South America becomes redundant," he added. -- AFP