‘Crooked bridge’ economically insensible, says former Johor DAP leader

By MT Webmaster On Oct 21, 2018

(FMT) – A former Johor DAP leader has weighed in on the debate surrounding the revival of the “crooked bridge” project in the state, saying it is economically insensible.

Dr Boo Cheng Hau said the revival of the “crooked bridge”, which he labelled a failed project that cost taxpayers RM237 million, shows that the country has no clear direction in terms of development.

“It would drive more potential investors away from Iskandar Malaysia due to a lack of public confidence in our policy-makers,” he said in a statement.

The former Johor DAP chairman also said the revival of the project did not reflect the actual needs and aspirations of Johoreans who see the Rapid Transit System (RTS), which is currently being developed, as a more feasible alternative passage connecting Woodlands in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.

The proposed crooked bridge at the Causeway. (Gerbang Perdana pic)

“A third bridge would be seen as more economically beneficial to the regional economy as a future visionary development plan,” he said, referring to DAP strategist Liew Chin Tong’s statement that the party is supportive of the idea of a third bridge to neighbouring Singapore.

Any reconstruction work on the Tebrau Causeway, Boo cautioned, could lead to disagreements and squabbles between Singapore and Malaysia, which would affect investors’ confidence in both countries.

The crooked bridge plan was brought into the spotlight once more on Tuesday by Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian, who said he had proposed the idea to Dr Mahathir Mohamad and hoped he would approve of its revival.

Singapore was reported to be against the crooked bridge as it would bring no benefits to the republic.

Mahathir had first mooted the crooked bridge idea at the tail-end of his first tenure as prime minister, from 1981 to 2003.

He said the “crooked bridge” did not require consent from Singapore because it would be built on Malaysia’s side of the Causeway.

It would allow free flow of water under the bridge and ships would be able to travel below the bridge to Malaysia’s ports.