pelf-ism is contagious

Is it ME, or is it the way certain news articles were written? After reading about the ridiculous plans to track and breed turtles yesterday, another news item annoys me today. Read this:

KUALA TERENGGANU: Traffic congestion at Sultan Mahmud Bridge spanning Terengganu River here may be lessened with the construction of another bridge soon.

State Exco for Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Communications Development Wan Hisham Wan Salleh said that under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Government had allocated some RM60mil for the construction of a 2km bridge to link Kampung Losong, Pulau Sekati and Teluk Pasu.

�The plan to build the bridge was made some time ago. However, there was some land acquisition problems. But now, the problems have been resolved.

�Now, the plan to build the bridge is completed, and construction can start next year,� he told reporters after officiating the Terengganu Smart Community briefing here on Monday.

He said the proposed bridge was necessary because traffic, particularly at the Sultan Mahmud Bridge and Manir Bridge, was too congested and accidents frequently occurred there.

�With the third bridge, it is hoped that road accidents and traffic congestion at the two bridges will be reduced,� he said. � Bernama

So.. “Since there are so many accidents on the Sultan Mahmud bridge, we will build one more bridge”, says Datuk, or did I read it wrongly?

And I thought it is perfectly natural for a “developing state” to have more cars. And more cars naturally means more accidents. So now another equation is being added: More accidents means more bridges must be built. Sooo funny.. But then ar, why is there only ONE bridge to Penang and Singapore respectively? No money meh?

And I thought to solve the problems, we must start from the grassroots level, i.e. to educate new drivers about the importance to drive carefully, to be more stringent when it comes to awarding driving licenses, etc. But no. Maybe the Government feels that it’s way toooo much work to educate the rakyat, hence the decision to “build more bridges”.

Hhehehe, I think I can imagine what Kuala Terengganu looks like in the next 20 years. Bridges all over *winks*

A lot more facilities can be built with RM 60 million, you know, e.g. a new bus station which I personally think is essential since the existing bus station does NOT look like one. But then again, thank God they did NOT propose the construction of 12 cages to breed turtles!!