The government of Melaka, Malaysia, has officially announced plans to construct a massive bridge connecting Melaka with Dumai in Riau, Indonesia. This infrastructure project aims to bridge the Strait of Malacca and drastically reduce travel time between the two nations to approximately 40 minutes via land, a significant improvement over current maritime options.
The Proposed Route The project outlines a connection spanning roughly 120 kilometers. The bridge is designed to connect Melaka to Teluk Gong, cross over to Pulau Rupat, and finally link to Dumai. According to the proposal, the Malaysian portion covers 48.7 kilometers, while the Indonesian portion spans 71.2 kilometers.
The Melaka state government is moving forward with the initial phases of the project. They have allocated RM500,000 (approximately IDR 2.06 billion) for a feasibility study. This study, covering technical, economic, and logistical aspects, is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The primary goal of the bridge is to strengthen economic connectivity and open new industrial zones. To support this, the Melaka government has prepared a 5,000-hectare plot of land in Masjid Tanah to be transformed into a new industrial area, hoping to generate positive economic ripples for the state.
Historical Context and Indonesian Concerns
This is not a new concept. A similar proposal involving a bridge and undersea tunnel was discussed during the era of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). At that time, the project was rejected by Indonesia due to strategic, security, and sovereignty concerns. The Indonesian government assessed that the project posed a risk by opening access to the Sumatra region to external parties too easily. Despite this past rejection, Malaysia is attempting to revive the idea in 2025.
The plan has faced significant skepticism within Malaysia. The opposition in Melaka views the project as overly ambitious given the state's financial health. Yadzil Yaakub, the Melaka Opposition Leader, highlighted concerns regarding the state's budget and high debt levels.
Yaakub noted that the area of Indonesia being connected is not a primary economic hub, which could result in low returns on investment for Melaka. He questioned the state's financial capacity, pointing out that the Melaka government still relies heavily on federal aid from Putrajaya.
"If we need federal help just to fix roads," Yaakub argued, "how can we possibly fund the construction of a bridge crossing the Strait of Malacca?"
While the announcement has generated interest, the realization of the project depends heavily on the results of the 2026 feasibility study and, crucially, the diplomatic and strategic approval of the Indonesian government.
