By former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad: It’s more than frustration and bitterness.

"Let me say it frankly that I do not agree with the government’s view that the people do not want the crooked bridge," he added.

"I am hiding my sadness because if I were to cry like I did when I announced my resignation (as Prime Minister at the Umno General Assembly in 2002), I will embarrass you (reporters). So, I laugh.

"This is because I cannot believe that before I die — and I do not know how long I have left as I am already 80 years old — the sovereignty of our country can be violated so easily. We retreated as if we surrendered our land to others," he said.

You may say he is a senile one, but the fact is, not yet for the time being, at least.

Meanwhile, The Star’s Wong Chun Wai shared the sentiment of Johor Baru MP Shahrir Samad.

The bridge issue should also serve as a lesson to our politicians. They should think before they speak.

Clashing statements, indecisiveness, back-pedalling and constant change of policies does not help our image as a serious, efficient country.

But hey, isn’t tok kok like sing song a trend?

International Herald Tribune’s Philip Bowring has something to say about Malaysia. Excerpt:

The difference with Thailand and Singapore is obvious enough. More striking, however, is the difference with 80-percent-Muslim Indonesia, where secularism is fiercely defended, individual freedoms are better protected and widely differing interpretations of Islam flourish.

With its wealth of resources and the attractions of its infrastructure and labor force for foreign investors Malaysia should continue to succeed.

But if its other great asset, its multi- ethnic society, is to flourish in a highly competitive, highly secular East Asia, the religious obscurantism and racial privileges will have to go.

Click here to read the full article.

Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique has given assurance not to prosecute people for indecent public behaviour.

"No action would be taken until the Cabinet made a decision.

"We will wait until clear guidelines on indecent behaviour is announced by the Cabinet."

Doesn’t that mean the couple should be set free too, dearest Chief Justice Sir?

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".

"Legal implications and complications," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

"Problems will arise when we have to cut the causeway, the water pipes and railway track and connected them to the new bridge. The problems will continue."

Was Pak Lah trying to tell the world that none reminded him of those problems before the gung-ho go-ahead decision?

Meanwhile, when Johor MP advised the Prime Minister to think well and plan ahead, Malaysia’s way of doing things continues.

Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo has dropped a bombshell on the scrapped bridge.

"He did not give me details but he said that it concerned their domestic political considerations. We don’t have very many details but I am quite sure in the coming days we will get more details." […]

One million dollar question: What kind of domestic political consideration?

And what a revelation by a non-Malaysian.

A public message by Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan.

Can you bring your partner to DBKL tomorrow at 1:30pm to support DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) protest, no to moral policing, mass kissing and hugging protest. Please, we need couples.

For more context, read here.

The Star SMS alert at 2:23pm.

PM’s Dept: The Government has decided not to proceed with the construction of the bridge to replace the causeway in Johor.

The decision was made after taking into consideration the views and sentiments of the rakyat, particularly concerning the supply of sand and allowing Singapore to use Malaysia’s airspace.

What a BIG U-Turn?

Plan it, build it and then, cancel it.

Good one, Pak Lah. Wondering what Tun M is thinking of now.

Via Bernama:

"Only those who have not gained popularity through their services and dedication to the people would seek shortcut popularity via SMS through their parasites."

"Aspiring candidates in the upcoming June 24 MIC elections would "soon learn a lesson that they can only secure positions in the MIC through hard work and through the democratic process, and not through some cheap and bankrupt means."

Remember, in Malaysia, you can only hear this from Works Minister a.k.a MIC president S Samy Vellu.

Read here for more examples of Samy Vellu’s "hard work".