No toll on Penang's second bridge for the first month

GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak opened the second Penang bridge – the longest in South-East Asia – amid much fanfare and excitement, with tens of thousands in attendance.The opening of the RM4.5bil bridge which was telecast live over TV was followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Among those present were the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Toh Puan Jean Abdullah, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and foreign envoys.Najib, in his speech, said the iconic bridge will be named after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah, and will be open from 12.01am today. He also said the bridge is free to the public for a month. 

The Prime Minister said that “there are times when we must rise above politics” to deliver what was good for the people, and the building of the bridge was in the interest of the public.Najib and his entourage travelled on an open-top double-decker bus across the bridge to the mid span of the bridge before turning back during the opening ceremony. Earlier, visitors thronged the Jom Riuh carnival site near the entrance of the bridge in Batu Maung where food and drink stalls had been set up.Some came as early as 10am and were entertained by local artistes.While the adults watched the musical performances, children played at several games booths. 

Some companies opened booths to showcase their products and services. Star Radio Group companies Red FM, Suria FM and 988 gave out beverages, CDs and magazines.The deejays from the three radio stations went on stage to entertain the crowd at the carnival which was launched by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas. Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd received a plaque from the Malaysian Book of Records for its string of achievements, including building the longest bridge in the country which is the first to be installed with rubber absorbers.

The Star Online

Sunday March 2, 2014