PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim is confident that Thailand’s plan to build a land bridge, which shortens the journey of ships without the need to go through the Straits of Malacca will benefit Malaysia, especially in northern Peninsular Malaysia. 

He added that Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin his given his assurance on Malaysia’s involvement in the project.

“The land bridge is still in the initial stage but in the discussions (with Srettha), it will involve Malaysia, especially in the northern region of the peninsula. 

“The spirit displayed by the Thai prime minister was clear when he told me that they will make sure Malaysia will benefit and be involved in the project,” Anwar said at a media conference after a one-day working visit to Sadao, Songkhla Province, in Thailand, today.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco recently, Srettha was reported to have raised the idea of the project costing RM131 billion via the construction of new ports in Ranong on the west and Chumpon on the east, which will be connected by rail and road. 

The 90km route is expected to shorten the journey by sea by four days and save 15% in cost between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

Earlier, Anwar held a one-day working visit to Sadao, Songkhla Province, with a focus on discussing issues related to Malaysia-Thailand bilateral cooperation with Srettha.

The visit, which was at Srettha’s invitation, was aimed, among other things, at monitoring progress of the road alignment project connecting the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security checkpoint in Malaysia and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Sadao, Thailand. – Bernama, November 27, 2023.