Chedet reject Unity Govt and 3rd bridge proposal

Former premier Mahathir Mohamad has warned his protege Prime Minister Najib Razak against persisting with unity talks with arch rival PAS and building a high-cost third bridge to Singapore.

“I don’t think the country wants a government which is 100 per cent Malay. I don’t think it is a good idea,” Mahathir told reporters on Friday.

The 84-year old who ruled Malaysia with a fist of iron from 1981 to 2003 said a unity government with PAS could jeopardise Umno’s relationship with non-Malay components in Barisan National.

He also called on Najib to explain what his administration’s objective was and if he was willing to dump the MCA, MIC and Gerakan just to form a government that consisted of only Malays.

Another leader to say NO to the bridge

Like the Sultan of Johor, Mahathir also shot down Najib’s prized third bridge proposal - which would be his first mega-project if it successfully took off.

“I think it is better for the government to build the crooked bridge instead of the third bridge,” he said.

According to him, a third bridge could affect operations at the Pasir Gudang Port and it was a better idea to replace the existing Causeway between Johor and Singapore.

Apart from reducing traffic, this would also perk up the new Customs, Immigrations and Quarantine complex at the Causeway, he added.

The CIQ was built to accommodate a new bridge to replace the Causeway but the project was cancelled by Najib’s predecessor Abdullah Badawi, who dropped it after Singapore voiced its disagreement.

Although retired, Mahathir still wields considerable influence in Umno. (SK)