KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16): The government is mulling to revive the Johor ‘crooked bridge’ project, which was mooted by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir before his first retirement as the country’s premier in 2003.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament’s lobby today, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said a meeting was held between the State government and Dr Mahathir last month, when the 93-year-old leader indicated there is “no problem” in building the Crooked Bridge, and the third bridge linking Johor and Singapore.

“We try to build third bridge, yes (state government has communicated this to Federal level), during meeting with PM last month; he [PM] agreed; maybe the crooked bridge also he is going to continue,” Osman said.

“This is what Tun wants, Crooked Bridge will only reach half of the Causeway Link; we won’t touch the Singapore part, so that the water can flow there, and ships can sail through Tebrau Straits, the water will be cleaner, it will help beautify Johor Bahru.

“So in the meeting last month, he asked me whether Johor needs the Crooked Bridge or not; I said it is up to you, because that was your idea before. The bridge has its benefits, but maybe the past PM didn't feel comfortable to continue a project started by Tun M. So he said if we wants to do it, no problem, because it doesn’t involve demolishing Singapore parts of the bridge, only on our side,” Osman said.

“We want to build the third bridge as well, yes [the state government has communicated this to Federal level] during the meeting with PM last month, he agreed,” he said.

Dr Mahathir had in 2003 planned to build the Crooked Bridge, which involved a six-lane S-shaped highway that allows vessels to pass under it since Singapore refused to demolish its half of the Causeway Link between the two countries.

Osman also said that he will be traveling to Singapore with Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to have a discussion with their counterparts in the island nation about water issues, bilateral development and investment.

As to whether Singapore would participate in the bridge project, Osman merely said, “Maybe. We will try to get feedback from them”.