Sultan: ‘No’ to 3rd bridge

By Carolyn Hong, The Straits Times

THE Sultan of Johor yesterday rejected the proposal to build a third bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore, putting Prime Minister Najib Razak in an awkward position.

The Malaysian Premier had proposed the joint project to link the eastern side of Johor to Singapore.

Sultan Iskandar Ismail's rejection was conveyed by Johor's Crown Prince, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, at the opening of the State Assembly yesterday.

'I was told by the Sultan that he does not agree with the proposal to build a third bridge,' he said in an unscripted addition to his speech.

The Sultan had earlier inspected the Guard of Honour but left soon after, leaving his son to deliver the speech.

The Sultan had declared at last year's opening of the assembly that he would do whatever it took to reclaim Pedra Branca, after the International Court of Justice awarded the island to Singapore.

The Straits Times understands that the Sultan was not briefed about the idea of a third link when Mr Najib met him before visiting Singapore last month.

Asked yesterday to respond to the Sultan's rejection, Mr Najib told reporters the matter was still at the proposal stage, and an in-depth study was needed to see if it would benefit both nations.

'There is no final decision on the matter yet, as we have to see whether the third bridge project is viable or not,' he said while on a visit to Sarawak.

He added that there was still plenty of time to discuss the matter with the Sultan and the Johor government, and noted that Singapore had to first agree to the project.