KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Thai counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, both agreed that the second Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok bridge would provide an economic boost.
Anwar said both also agreed to accelerate the project's construction to solve the flood issues in northern Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan and the southern part of Thailand, other than serving as a stimulus for economic development in the area.
"We have decided to undertake the development and cleaning of the estuary of Sungai Golok, which will greatly help the people in southern Thailand and Kelantan who are facing flood problems," he said during a lunch event Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, which was held in conjunction with his working visit to the area and Sungai Golok, Thailand.
Meanwhile, Srettha said the project would "facilitate" the economic development between the two countries, as he believed that the southern part of Thailand has been undeveloped due to "unnecessary problems" without detailing the issues.
He said the project signalled that clear progress has been made in the area and that economic development would be the focus of a discussion between the leaders of both countries regarding the area.
"(I) Hope to be back (in Sungai Golok-Rantau Panjang) to see the development in this area," Srettha said.
He also said the discussion between him and Anwar would also involve the establishment of a special economic zone in the area, as further discussion was being made by both countries' foreign ministers.
He suggested that the halal and rubber plantation industries become the key economic drivers in the area.
On Friday, Kelantan Public Works, Infrastructure, Water, and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin said Thailand was expected to begin construction of the bridge in April 2025.
Narathiwat Province Governor Trakul Thotham had reportedly stated that an Environmental Impact Assessment, scheduled to begin in September, must be conducted before construction starts.
The six-lane bridge and the existing Muhibbah Bridge, which connects Rantau Panjang and Sungai Golok, would be collectively known as the Twin Bridges.