When I first read the Government decision not to proceed with the construction of the bridge, I was wondering what former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was thinking then.

And now, he has spoken and truth been said.

"We’ve got to consult all quarters when doing something in our own country. If we do not consult outsiders, we might do the wrong thing and will have to bear the consequences.

"Consultation with the neighbours is very good. If the neighbour disagreed, we have to take into consideration their views, even if what we are doing is within our own country.

"At that time, it (Singapore) did not even have a position, we were about to start (construction) but I retired. If I did not leave, it would have started two and a half years ago.

"If we wait, they will find so many things (reasons) more. We have to give them sand, air space… Now, we no longer ask about the price of water which is sold at three sen. It is quiet now. That way, we would be in better terms with our neighbours. […]

"I am not surprised. Many times the government reserves decision when people disagree… toll hikes…The government is caring. Even (with) people outside our country, with our neighbours, the good ones, the nearby ones. We must be very nice to them.

"We have been taking into account Singapore’s views … They do not want the bridge, they want the causeway because it is nostalgic to Goh Chok Tong, we just accept it."

But Pak Lah is too busy even trying to understand what his predecessor has said, too obsessed figuring out the so-called "legal implications and complications".

Permalink | Leave a comment | Trackback
Subscribe to Email Feed | Subscribe to RSS Feed