http://cyusof.blogspot.com/2009/04/stupid-bridge.html
Stupid Bridge
For me, Johor Baru is one hell of a depressing town. After more than half a century of BN rule it has degenerated into a filthy and crime ridden southern gateway for the country and an absolute disgrace to us all.
The Malaysian Insider reports, here, “Over the past few days, the mainstream media has been making a case to revive the crooked bridge across the Johor Strait, a project cancelled by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his early days as prime minister that irked his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad”. It was also no surprise to me when the JB UMNO youth head was reported as saying that “The people of Johor are placing high hopes on the (new) prime minister to review the decision to cancel the crooked bridge project across the Johor Straits”.
Oh no, not again, I thought. Whoever thought of this crooked bridge clearly has got their crooked brains in their crooked backsides. If it was meant as a panacea for all traffic ills then they have got another thought coming because it certainly will not solve the problem of choke holds on both sides (ends) of the bridge.
If it was meant to allow a safe passage for ships, its really a no-brainer because the Johor Strait is too shallow for ships and besides, the swing bridge (on left of photo) is only meant for small craft. This will be very expensive to maintain just so that a few millionaires can sail their luxury yachts through at our expense.
If it was due to environmental concerns to allow water on both sides of the causeway to flow freely, well, haven’t they heard of tunnels?
I believe the Singaporeans are also not thrilled to bits about the idea in the first place and I doubt if they will change their minds soon, especially during this economic downturn. Their factories are retrenching workers and with about 300,000 Malaysians in Singapore who may soon lose their jobs, perhaps JB UMNO Youth should look elsewhere to fill their pockets. Lets just forget about it and dont make us all look like idiots of the first order.
Related Story:
http://nursamad.blogspot.com/2009/04/reviving-crooked-bridge-project.html
Reviving The Crooked Bridge Project…
by Nuraina A Samad
April 14, 2009
The crooked bridge was among the mega projects scrapped during the Abdullah administration.
The decision to do away with the project further strained relations between the (then) PM and his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Abdullah attributed the decision to scrap the project in 2006 to “the people’s wishes”. Later, some files were declassified to show there were legal implications and ramifications with regards to some historical agreeements with Singapore.
On April 1, in a meeting with editors, (outgoing PM) Abdullah was asked why the project was scrapped.
He explained that it was due to federal budget deficit.
In December last year and early this year, there was talk that the project might be revived.
Today, Bernama quoted Johor Umno Youth who expressed hope that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will review the decision on the project.
Johor Umno Youth information chief Khalid Mohamad said today all the people of Johor, regardless of religious belief and race, wanted the government to review the decision.
“The people of Johor are placing high hopes on the Prime Minister to review the decision to cancel the crooked bridge project across the Johor Straits.
“The effects from the construction of the crooked bridge will be most positive to the Johor economy. We urge the government to reconsider (the cancellation) as soon as possible.“
Khalid is also the Johor Baru Umno Youth chief.
Read the full report HERE.