Bridges of Malaysia Stamp

Bridges are an important element in establishing communication links between towns and cities that are separated by difficult terrain or rivers. The role of bridges has been important in the economic and social development of Malaysia enabling transportation links in moving people and goods.

The building or bridges over the centuries has evolved from simple wooden structures to sophisticated steel and concrete bridges. Among the most advanced engineered bridge bridge during its time was the Victoria Bridge, Perak built in 1897.

This series showcase these innovative bridges up to the time of Malaysia's Independence in 1957. This collection of historical structures that have played a major role in the growth of industries like tin mining, rubber and the overall economy of the nation are given due recognition.

Merdeka Bridge, Kedah

The Merdeka Bridge, built in 1955, was officially launched in 1957, the year Malaya achieved independence. Spanning the Sungei Muda, the longest river in Kedah, the bridge serves a major link for transportation of goods and people. The river also marks the border between Penang and Kedah. Sungei Muda also provides water for consumption and irrigation of rice fields to Penang's province of Seberang Perai. This concrete truss girder bridge was designed and built by the Malaysian Public Works Department.

Victoria Bridge, Perak

The oldest railway bridge in Malaya is the Victoria Bridge in Karai, Perak. Built in 1897, it was the most advanced bridge in terms of its engineering in the Far East at that time. This bridge provides a communication link for the growth of the tin mining industry and the development of the mining towns in the Malayan Peninsula. With the opening of this bridge, the whole of the west coast from Perai to Johor Bahru was linked by rail.

Kota Bridge, Klang

The city of Klang is divided by the Klang River and was linked by the Brickfield Bridge in 1907. It was destroyed in 1941 during World War II, resulting in great difficulty in transportation and communication, especially for goods transported from Klang Port to other cities. In 1958 a double decker bridge was constructed, the first such bridge in Malaya, with a pedestrian walkway at the lower half. This double decker truss girder bridge was named the Kota Bridge.

Sungei Segamat Bridge, Johor

This bridge was built in 1933 to provide means of transportation to the Segamat district as an initiative by the government to develop the district for its agricultural adtivities and to boost its economy. The Sungei Segamat Bridge is a Steel Pratt Girder Type bridge with a length of 00.43 metres. It provides a railway crossing over the Segamat River.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 28-Feb-2008

Stamp Value : 30 Sen; 50 Sen (2 Designs); RM 1

Stamp Size : 50mm x 30mm

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Perforation : 14

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithigraphy

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer : Reign Associates

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Folder Value : RM 5.50

POS Malaysia 26 February 2008, Tuesday Press Release

BRIDGES OF MALAYSIA TO BE THE SPECIAL FEATURE IN THE FIRST SERIES OF 2008 STAMPS

Pos Malaysia Berhad will issue a special collection of stamps and First Day Cover that features the historical bridges of Malaysia. The special stamp collection will be issued on 28 February 2008 (Thursday).

Bridges are an important element in establishing communication links between towns and cities that are separated by difficult terrains or rivers. The role of bridges has been important in the economic and social development of Malaysia enabling transportation links in moving people and goods.

The building of bridges over the centuries has evolved from simple wooden structures to sophisticated steel and concrete bridges. Among the most advanced engineered bridge during its time was the Victoria Bridge, at Karai built in 1897.

“Pos Malaysia is proud to feature these historical bridges in our first stamp series for this year. Bridges play an important function in connecting people and places and significantly, it also acts as the connector towards the development of a society and civilization. As these bridges physically connect people across waterways and terrains, Pos Malaysia Berhad also plays the similar role of bridging together people and businesses through the postal service.,” said YBhg Dato’ Idrose Mohamed, Managing Director / Group Chief Executive Officer of Pos Malaysia Berhad.

“This is the first time Pos Malaysia Berhad produced a series of stamps featuring bridges and we believe that it would be a valuable addition for our customer’s stamp collection. We hope that stamp collectors will take the opportunity to purchase the stamps and First Day Cover as a way to express their sense of pride of the nation’s history as well as to be kept as a token of remembrance to be shared with the future generation,” Dato’ Idrose added.

This series showcase these innovative bridges. This collection of historical structures that have played a major role in the growth of industries like tin mining, rubber and the overall economy of the nation are given due recognition.

Four historical bridges in Malaysia are featured in the stamp designs. The stamps, 50mm X 30mm in size is printed in sheets of 20 on SPM watermark, phosphor coated paper and are available in 30sen, 2 designs for 50sen and RM1.00 denomination :

30sen : Merdeka Bridge, Butterworth – Kedah
The Merdeka Bridge, built in 1955, was officially launched in 1957, the year Malaya achieved independence. Spanning the Sungai Muda, the longest river in Kedah, the bridge serves as a major link for transportation of goods and people. The river also marks the border between Penang and Kedah. Sungai Muda also provides water for consumption and irrigation of rice fields to Penang’s province of Seberang Perai. This concrete truss girder bridge was designed and built by the Malaysian Public Works Department.

50sen : Victoria Bridge in Karai, Perak
The oldest railway bridge in Malaya is the Victoria Bridge in Karai, Perak. Built in 1897 by the Perak State Railway, it was the most advanced bridge in terms of its engineering in the Far East at that time. This bridge provided a communication link for the growth of the tin mining industry and the development of the mining towns in the Malayan Peninsular. With the opening of this bridge, the whole of the west coast from Perai to Johor Bahru was linked by rail.

50sen : Kota Bridge, Klang, Selangor
The city of Klang is divided by the Klang River and was linked by the Brickfield Bridge built in 1907. It was destroyed in 1941 during World War II, resulting in great difficulty in transportation and communication, especially for goods transported from Klang Port to other cities. In 1958 a double decker bridge was constructed, the first such bridge in Malaya, with a pedestrian walkway at the lower half. This double decker truss girder bridge was named the Kota Bridge (Jambatan Kota).

RM1.00 : Sungai Segamat Bridge, Johor
This bridge was build in 1933, to provide means of transportation to the Segamat district as an initiative by the government to develop the district for its agricultural activities and to boost its economy. The Sungai Segamat Bridge is a Steel Pratt Girder Bridge type with the length of 99.43 metres. It provides railway crossing over the Segamat River.

First Day Cover at 30sen each can be purchased at all post offices nationwide. Folders at RM5.50 each is only available at selected post offices.

The Start Online 26 February 2008, Tuesday Press Release

KUALA LUMPUR: Historical bridges will be the theme of Pos Malaysia's first batch of special collector stamps this year, to be issued on Thursday at all Post Malaysia offices nationwide.

The stamps, measuring 50x30mm, feature the Merdeka Bridge in Kedah (30 sen), Victoria Bridge in Perak (50 sen), Kota Bridge in Selangor (50 sen) and Sungai Segamat Bridge in Johor (RM1).

The first-day cover will be available for 30 sen and comes with a pamphlet with a short history of each bridge. The set, complete with four designs, will cost RM2.60.

The stamps are printed on SPM watermarked phosphor-coated paper and can also be bought in sheet form containing 20 pieces of a single design.

There will also be a folder, limited to 1,000 copies, to be sold for RM5.50 each at selected post offices.

"Bridges play a significant role in connecting people and places. It is also the connector towards the development of society and civilisation," Pos Malaysia Bhd managing director and group chief executive officer Datuk Idrose Mohamed said in a statement.

The bridges chosen were built before the country's independence except for the Kota Bridge that was destroyed in 1941 during World War II but rebuilt in 1958.

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