Of crooked bridges and crooked relations

TK Chua, Free  Malaysia Today

Sometimes I am just amazed by the new government and its so-called new resolve. Despite its pragmatism, the issues being considered are myopic and even stupid. I am referring to the “crooked bridge” currently being considered.

Both Singapore and Malaysia have repeatedly claimed to be good neighbours. But I wonder why the two countries can’t even sit down to talk sense for once, for the benefit of both nations.

Singapore has so many dealings with Malaysia. I am sure the republic can be persuaded to replace the causeway with a “normal” bridge to facilitate movement of ships and boats along the Johor Strait. I am sure Singapore could benefit from it too, although the proposal comes from Malaysia.

Building the crooked bridge would just be so uncool. It would permanently epitomise the crooked relationship between Malaysia and Singapore, showing that both Malaysia and Singapore are governed by intransigent and hard-headed people out to get each other.

Completely knocking down the causeway to free the waterway makes sense for both countries. A crooked bridge, freeing only half of the waterway, will probably be too narrow and hazardous for navigation.

Singapore and Malaysia are inseparable in many ways. With increased traffic between the two countries, a third bridge may be needed in the near future. In addition to that, we have pipelines, the HSR and the Rapid Transit System linking the two countries.

Sometimes I wonder how these two countries can achieve so many things together but are yet unable to get the crooked bridge sorted out. So much for neighbourliness and the cordial relationships that we hypocritically boast about.