A coalition of Muslim non-governmental organisations in Penang today suggested that the Second Penang Bridge be named after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

Its secretary, Ahmad Yakqub Nazri, said the move would empower the royal institution.

“I feel it is time the people suggest that the second bridge be named the  Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who is also the Sultan of Kedah.

“We represent the people in being proud when the bridge was built in this state and His Majesty’s name is embedded in the longest bridge in South-East Asia and the third longest in the world as well as the latest national landmark,” he said in a press conference in George Town.

He was confident that everyone in the state would support the suggestion and hoped Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, the state government and the  Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd would accept the suggestion.

Ahmad Yakqub said a letter on the suggestion would be prepared and sent to the prime minister and Istana Negara today.

The 24km-long bridge (17km of it will be above the water and seven km over land) had been designed to be environment-friendly, connecting Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the island.

Due to be opened early next month, the bridge was expected to reduce the congestion on the Penang Bridge by about 25 percent.

Costing RM4.5 billion, the bridge which was built by the federal government, is the longest in South-East Asia. It is expected to cater to 100,000 vehicles a day.    

- Bernama