An Analysis of Dr. Mahathir's Crooked Bridge

Which responsible leader would start a controversial mega-project and leave it to his successor to complete? Mahathir did. Why? Because he knew that the project would have serious implications and would bring Malaysia in direct confrontation with Singapore, and he (Mahathir) didn’t want to face Lee Kwan Yew openly.

By Just Gan

Dr. Mahathir has asked Najib to revive the crooked bridge project but Nazri has responded that the bridge will not be built. Why is Mahathir so adamant about this bridge, a crooked one which will be a symbol of shame and defeat rather than pride and value? This article seeks to shed some light on Mahathir's stubbornness in wanting the crooked bridge to be built.

He had plenty of time, from the break in talks with Singapore over the bridge issue till his so-called retirement, to build the crooked bridge or do whatever he wanted to Malaysia’s part of the Causeway. Yet, all Mahathir did was talk, grumble and criticize Singapore. No action, just hot air. But just before retiring, he launched the billion ringgit crooked bridge project to replace Malaysia’s half of the Causeway.

Which responsible leader would start a controversial mega-project and leave it to his successor to complete? Mahathir did. Why? Because he knew that the project would have serious implications and would bring Malaysia in direct confrontation with Singapore, and he (Mahathir) didn’t want to face Lee Kwan Yew openly. In his usual style of pretence, he launched the crooked bridge to deceive the Rakyat that he was strong and dared to go against Singapore.

Dr. Mahathir started the project just before retiring and left the problems, issues, controversies to be handled by Abdullah Badawi, someone who was not Mahathir’s choice for PM, someone who had never been known for clear thinking and decisive action. For whatever reason best known to himself, Badawi decided to cancel the crooked bridge shortly after becoming the PM and incurred the wrath and scorn of his predecessor who had initiated it.

From the way Dr. Mahathir responded to Badawi's cancellation of the crooked bridge and how he continues to harp on it even today, it is clear that that bridge was and still is very very close to Mahathir's heart. Yet, he did not complete the construction of the crooked bridge before stepping down. Why? Because he was afraid of the consequences and could blame someone else (Badawi), as he had always done, should anything go wrong.

Since the “Lingam Enquiry” (during which Mahathir suddenly lost his memory), Mahathir’s super memory has come back and he is now able to recall full facts, even minute details, and is now actively arguing and making all kinds of statements, some truly stupid and ridiculous.

His latest racist blog postings and speeches are aimed at shoring up his image as more Malay than any other Malay. Dr. Mahathir has also used the website to argue his case for the crooked bridge that Malaysia has every right to do what she likes to the part of the Causeway belonging to her. That kind of argument on the Internet is for people like you and I, people who can only express opinions and argument but who are not in a position to do anything.

Mahathir was the Prime Minister for 22 YEARS and DIDN'T DO ANYTHING about the Causeway. Why is he resorting to the same vehicle (the Internet) that we, the powerless, deploy? Because, Mahathir is afraid of Lee Kwan Yew.

He has never dared do anything drastic in controversial Malaysia-Singapore issues when he was in power because he knows that Mr. Lee Kwan Yew will defeat him in any showdown. For example, Mahathir kept talking so much about the low price of water supplied to Singapore, and yet he did not dare turn off the tap. (Latest news: Singapore has decided not to renew one of the water agreements when it expires in 2011 - Lee Kwan Yew beats Mahathir again in the water matter.)

When he was the PM, didn’t Mahathir know that Malaysia was an independent country and could have done what it liked in its territory as he claimed? Why didn't he then demolish Malaysia’s half of the Causeway, instead of harping on Malaysia’s Independence NOW? Mahathir talks a lot but has never dared to face Lee Kwan Yew in controversial issues involving both countries.

What is clear is that a proper Johore-Singapore bridge to replace the Causeway will be built only when Singapore decides to do so and not at any time earlier. If Mahathir is convinced that Malaysia can build the crooked bridge without Singapore's consent, he could direct Najib to build it now. After all, Mahathir wields tremendous power and influence over the UMNO government and Najib is beholden to Mahathir for allowing him to become PM in spite of the Altantunya and other controversies. So what is Dr. Mahathir waiting for? He doesn't have many more years to live and would surely want to see the crooked bridge and drive over it in his crooked Proton before he dies.

But there is one key question to which Dr. Mahathir must provide a sensible answer before he proceeds further on this crooked bridge matter. Otherwise, he would have to eat a humble pie, accept Nazri's decision, acknowledge that he has lost power and control over Najib, and give up his dream of driving a crooked Proton over the crooked Bridge.

The Johoreans are not clamouring for a new bridge. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise and the Sultan's recent call for the bridge to be built is no reflection of the Johoreans' wish. Their complaint is not about the Causeway but about the queues at the Johore and Singapore immigration and customs checkpoints. Why is it then so important to replace the Causeway with a bridge, crooked or otherwise, especially when the main beneficiaries (users) will be Singaporean, and not Malaysian, drivers and travellers?

Why is Dr. Mahathir so adamant to spend Malaysian money to build an infrastructure for the benefit of Singaporeans? If it is about free flow of water and movement of ships in the Johore Straits, then just demolish the Malaysian part of the Causeway and don't build the crooked bridge. If it is about providing a means for Singapore dollars to flow into Johore and the country, the Causeway and the second bridge are more than adequate for this purpose. So what is the real purpose for wanting to build the crooked bridge? Is it again about billions for Dr. Mahathir and his cronies?

courtesy of malaysia-today.net