KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — The government has agreed to build a bridge connecting Labuan to mainland Sabah through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), said Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
He said his ministry and Works Ministry were in the process of finalising the terms of reference for the ‘Request for Proposal’ (RFP) process to build the bridge.
“The proposed bridge construction project will be implemented through public-private sector collaboration and via privatisation or PFI.
“This cooperation can ensure smooth and transparent implementation of the project through competitive bidding,” he said in response to Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli who asked whether financing for the bridge construction would be borne by the government or PFI, in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Annuar said the public-private partnership project could help develop the economy through private investment and reduce the government’s burden, as well as give the best value to the government.
Annuar said the ministry expected the terms for RFP for the construction of the bridge to be submitted by interested companies before the end of this year.
“Then it will take about six to eight months to complete the RFP documents in detail to enable bidding,
“By September next year, the bidders will be evaluated and it is expected that in October, we will be able to finalise which method will be used and which company chosen to build the bridge,” he said.
— Bernama
