Putrajaya studying crooked bridge proposal, says minister

Baru said the government had paid Gerbang Perdana RM257.4 million after the project was scrapped in 2006 by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

(FMT) – Works Minister Baru Bian told the Dewan Rakyat today that the proposal for the crooked bridge in Johor was still under consideration and would be referred to the Cabinet.

He said research would be done on aspects such as financial implications and international law before a decision is made.

“The proposal for the crooked bridge involves social politics and foreign relations,” he said to Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), who had asked the ministry to justify the construction of the bridge to replace the causeway.

Wee also asked about the compensation paid to the main contractor for the Malaysian side, Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd.

Baru said the government had paid Gerbang Perdana RM257.4 million after the project was scrapped in 2006 by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said the Cabinet then had made the call after looking at various factors including the economy.

Adding that the present 1km Johor-Singapore causeway bridge had been built in 1923, he said the crooked bridge was intended to replace the Malaysian side of the bridge as there had been no decision from Singapore.

The crooked bridge project was mooted by Dr Mahathir Mohamad before he retired as prime minister in 2003.

Because Singapore did not agree to the project, it was modified to incorporate a sharp curve on the Malaysian side which would allow vessels to pass underneath, thus giving rise to its “crooked” moniker.

The bridge would then join up with the remaining portion of the Johor causeway on the Singapore side.

On Oct 16, Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian said Mahathir had hinted that he was keen on reviving the project.