By Zolkharnain Abidin - Free Malaysia Today
COMMENT The grapevine here in Malaysia’s tiniest state Perlis is abuzz with speculations that the recently resurrected Perlis-Langkawi bridge project will begin next year.
Now how that is going to happen under the current economic climate is anyone’s guess, but the polemics of the project smells of a hidden agenda.
Swirling around coffee-shops here are rumours that two companies are submitting their proposals to the Perlis state government next month.
I believe the proposals will be accepted.
But why is the proposal only submitted to Perlis? Isn’t the PAS-led Kedah government not involved?
Isn’t Langkawi part of Kedah (or have they, Umno-Barisan Nasional, turned it into an independent territory without our knowledge)?
From Perlis’s point of view, a ‘mega’ project such as this should be grabbed quickly, no questions asked.
Aside from it being ‘a matter of pride’ that Perlis as a state can do a ‘mega’ project, it is also a calculated strategy to affirm BN’s commitment to Perlis in view of the next general election.
Two years after the general election, Perlis is feeling the threatening vapours of heat generating from the growing support for PAS in Kedah, its closest neighbour.
Thus it’s essential that a mega project is announced to boost the BN government's image.
In fact the project will probably be the mainstay of Perlis Menteri Besar Mohamad Isa Sabu’s speech when he tables the state 2011 budget.
And in tandem with Mohd Isa’s speech, we will also be hearing Umno leaders reeling in voter support with statements like:
“To ensure this project succeeds you must retain the BN government.
“If BN fails, you won’t feel the breeze against you while driving your car across to Langkawi.
“If Pakatan Rakyat wins, they’ll cancel the project.”
Big money for Umno
Whether the bridge is needed or not is not the question. Whether the rakyat wants it or not is also not important.
Do you think they care about whether it is environment friendly and cost effective. Even these factors are not important.
What is important here is that Umno earns big money to support its do-or-die campaign in the next election.
The Perlis-Langkawi bridge is not a small project. It is a mega project, in fact it is the mother of all mega projects
And I won’t be surprised if many of Perlis Umno leaders are already fantasising about their loot and the breezy drives across the bridge in their Proton Sagas.
This is the style of Umno politicians.
And if you believe these leaders, then you will also have to ask about the Northern Corridor which was launched with much gusto and pomp by former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi but has now fallen flat.
Also don’t forget to ask where the revenue from the Perlis seedling-producing centre is.
And what about the “many jobs” created for Perlis folks from all those much publicised ‘projects’?
Also what is the outcome of the tens and hundreds of MoU (memorandum of understanding) which the government is constantly signing with local and international companies.?
The questions are endless.
To resurrect a 10-year old idea and announce a Perlis-Langkawi bridge now, is to me a day-dream because if they (BN government) couldn’t do it when the economy was strong, how will they do it at a time when we as a nation are floundering under debts and disparity.
COMMENT The grapevine here in Malaysia’s tiniest state Perlis is abuzz with speculations that the recently resurrected Perlis-Langkawi bridge project will begin next year.
Now how that is going to happen under the current economic climate is anyone’s guess, but the polemics of the project smells of a hidden agenda.
Swirling around coffee-shops here are rumours that two companies are submitting their proposals to the Perlis state government next month.
I believe the proposals will be accepted.
But why is the proposal only submitted to Perlis? Isn’t the PAS-led Kedah government not involved?
Isn’t Langkawi part of Kedah (or have they, Umno-Barisan Nasional, turned it into an independent territory without our knowledge)?
From Perlis’s point of view, a ‘mega’ project such as this should be grabbed quickly, no questions asked.
Aside from it being ‘a matter of pride’ that Perlis as a state can do a ‘mega’ project, it is also a calculated strategy to affirm BN’s commitment to Perlis in view of the next general election.
Two years after the general election, Perlis is feeling the threatening vapours of heat generating from the growing support for PAS in Kedah, its closest neighbour.
Thus it’s essential that a mega project is announced to boost the BN government's image.
In fact the project will probably be the mainstay of Perlis Menteri Besar Mohamad Isa Sabu’s speech when he tables the state 2011 budget.
And in tandem with Mohd Isa’s speech, we will also be hearing Umno leaders reeling in voter support with statements like:
“To ensure this project succeeds you must retain the BN government.
“If BN fails, you won’t feel the breeze against you while driving your car across to Langkawi.
“If Pakatan Rakyat wins, they’ll cancel the project.”
Big money for Umno
Whether the bridge is needed or not is not the question. Whether the rakyat wants it or not is also not important.
Do you think they care about whether it is environment friendly and cost effective. Even these factors are not important.
What is important here is that Umno earns big money to support its do-or-die campaign in the next election.
The Perlis-Langkawi bridge is not a small project. It is a mega project, in fact it is the mother of all mega projects
And I won’t be surprised if many of Perlis Umno leaders are already fantasising about their loot and the breezy drives across the bridge in their Proton Sagas.
This is the style of Umno politicians.
And if you believe these leaders, then you will also have to ask about the Northern Corridor which was launched with much gusto and pomp by former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi but has now fallen flat.
Also don’t forget to ask where the revenue from the Perlis seedling-producing centre is.
And what about the “many jobs” created for Perlis folks from all those much publicised ‘projects’?
Also what is the outcome of the tens and hundreds of MoU (memorandum of understanding) which the government is constantly signing with local and international companies.?
The questions are endless.
To resurrect a 10-year old idea and announce a Perlis-Langkawi bridge now, is to me a day-dream because if they (BN government) couldn’t do it when the economy was strong, how will they do it at a time when we as a nation are floundering under debts and disparity.
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