Bridging over troubled waters

Malaysia decided to stop the construction of the “scenic bridge” meant to replace the Malaysian half of the Causeway because of legal implications and complications, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

I have new-found respect for Pak Lah. At last, a reasonable man in the Malaysian government.

It did hurt them a bit in the pocket though. They've already started work on the project and would now be compensating Gerbang Perdana, the construction company which was awarded the contract with a cool RM10 million. Shouldn't have been so rash in the first place, eh?

Anyway, good call in the end.

Singapore had her own demands and worries. We gotta protect our own interests too.

Firstly, the proposed bridge would be higher than the present Causeway which would effectively make it possible for ships to pass under it and bypass Singapore's ports.

Secondly, we asked for sand which of course would be used to expand our borders. Our northern neighbour has a problem with that but hey, how big can we be huh?

Thirdly, we asked to use some of the Malaysian airspace for our air force's use. A flat "NO" was of course to be expected.

Some of the past and present Malaysian politicians didn't agree with his decision but he is more wise than these people. There's not much Singapore can do against a bigger country like Malaysia but then, some things are more than meets the eye. He knows better.