Nothing to worry about, says Loke on Thai land bridge idea

FMT:

Nothing to worry about, says Loke on Thai land bridge idea


Transport minister Loke Siew Fook says the focus should be on improving the competitiveness and productiveness of the country’s ports.

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said at a press conference that Malaysia must continue to attract investments.


PUTRAJAYA: There is no need for concern over Thailand’s proposal to build a land bridge between the Indian and Pacific Oceans as an alternative to the Straits of Melaka, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.

Loke said every country was entitled to its own ideas and the ministry would closely monitor any development.

“What is more important is that we must continue to build our competitiveness. Make sure our ports are competitive and productive,” he said when asked to comment on the Thai bridge proposal at a press conference here today.

“At the same time, we must continue to attract investments. Shipping lines will only come when you have cargo to take out and take in.”

Earlier today, FMT reported analysts as saying that Port Klang would likely suffer a significant financial setback if the proposed land bridge across southern Thailand became a reality.

The analysts were commenting on Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s statement that his country was considering a new proposal to revive the centuries-old project. He said this when addressing investors at the sidelines of last week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in San Francisco.

The idea for a direct route between the two bodies of water that sandwich the Isthmus of Kra, the strip of land that is connected to the Malay peninsula, was first mooted by the Thai monarch Narai the Great in 1677. However, it was not for trade purposes but part of a military strategy – to move troops quickly in the event of an invasion by the nearby Burmese kingdom.

It is estimated that the land bridge could reduce transport time by approximately two days, compared to the existing shipping route through the Straits of Melaka.

Loke also said the idea for the land bridge had been talked about for many years but nothing had materialised.

“A land bridge is (also) not something new. Malaysia is also building one, which is the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) between the Straits of Melaka and the South China Sea,” he said.


Banning tinted car windows

Regarding suggestions that the transport ministry ban tinted car windows to prevent fatal cases of children being left in the car, Loke said the issue required a nuanced approach and not a one-size-fits-all solution.

He said tinted windows served various purposes related to health and security.

“Tinted windows are an option. We are not asking everyone to put up tinted windows,” Loke said.

“So if you are a parent, then you are advised not to put up any tinted glass for the safety of your children.”