Bridges Linking Malaysia, S'pore Possible, Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today hinted at the possibility of a new bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore in the future.
The prime minister went a step further, saying he believed that several bridges could be built to connect the two neighbouring countries.
"I believe that one day there may be several bridges linking Singapore and Malaysia, just like in places like New York, Manhattan and Korea, although these places are not in different countries," he told reporters after addressing a gathering of Umno members in conjunction with the party's 61st anniversary celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
"Rivers and straits are not a hindrance to having bridges to ensure smooth traffic. It's something that's going to happen," he added.
Abdullah, who is Umno president, was queried whether he viewed the option of building a bridge to replace the Johor Causeway was still on the table or otherwise.
Several groups have called for the issue to be revisited in talks between Abdullah and his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Shien Loong, in Langkawi on Monday and Tuesday.
When pressed whether the matter would be brought up at the meeting, the prime minister said: "We'll go to Langkawi with an open mind...to look at the latest development."
The government decided to abort the bridge in April last year, citing legal complications.
Abdullah said then that the project had been scrapped as Malaysia could not accept Singapore's request for sand and the use of airspace in exchange for cooperation on the project.
Consequently, the government stopped all negotiations on the bridge issue with Singapore

tunku : we don't need bridges, we just need one bridge.have a gut and build it pak lah.just because can't sell sand to singapore doesn't mean that we can build it,BUILD THE WAY IT WAS PLAN, we don't need singapore's consent.keep spinning pak lah.