Saturday July 15, 2006
At a glance
On the crooked bridge:
1. Dr Mahathir: Singapore accepted Malaysia’s proposal to build a crooked bridge to replace the Malaysian side of the Johor Causeway.
The Government says: On Oct 14, 2002, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong agreed to discontinue discussions on the outstanding bilateral issues as a package and stated that its earlier agreement to the bridge project was now not applicable.
On Aug 24, 2000, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew wrote to Special Functions Minister and Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin saying all correspondence would be treated as Without Prejudice and that there was no agreement until all points were agreed and signed by the two PMs.
2. Dr Mahathir: That the bridge was not part of the package of bilateral issues.
The Government says: At first, the outstanding package of issues only covered four areas – water, Central Provident Fund, airspace and the relocation of KTM’s CIQ complex in Singapore. Dr Mahathir inserted the bridge project into the package in a letter to Lee on March 4, 2002.
On the use of airspace and sale of sand:
Dr Mahathir: The present Government offered its airspace and sand to Singapore.
The Government says: The issue of allowing use of Malaysian airspace has been on the negotiating table between 1998 and 2002. Dr Mahathir himself inserted this issue in a letter to Lee on March 4, 2002. With the de-packaging of the bilateral issues, the proposal made by Dr Mahathir is no longer relevant.
The republic did not see the need for a bridge to replace the Causeway. It wanted something in return for agreeing to the bridge deal and requested for sand and the use of airspace.
A half-past-six country with no guts:
Dr Mahathir: Malaysia is a “half-past-six country with no guts” for calling off the bridge project.
The Government says: A crooked bridge is not a legacy to leave for future Malaysians. The bridge project was aborted after studying the Wayleave Agreements, the Johor-Singapore Water Agreements 1961 and 1962, the Separation Agreement 1965 and taking into consideration advice by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Malaysia cannot take unilateral action without taking into consideration international law principles and requirements, and without taking into account the rights and interests of its neighbouring states.
The half bridge would have been left in a limbo with no commitment from Singapore. Running the government is not about scoring points or engaging in brinkmanship. It is about weighing the pros and cons and reaching a decision that is good for Malaysia.
It was a political decision, based on the sentiments, sovereignty and integrity of the people of Malaysia.
Related Stories:
Setting the record straight
Government replies to allegations raised by Dr M
Government will not declassify all papers
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- No licence to try offenders
- RM849mil owed by various state agencies
- Indonesia seizes ammonium nitrate shipment from Malaysia
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Heritage through art
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Hackers leak e-mails, stoke climate debate
RSS
