KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong said today the construction of the “crooked bridge” between Malaysia and Singapore is not an immediate need, because the priority now is to focus on projects that ease traffic flow between both countries.

Liew, who was speaking to reporters at Malaysia's Parliament lobby here, said Johor's proposal to build a third link bridge is deemed a priority.
 
"I think the crooked bridge is not an immediate need, we can explore, but the priority item now is to ensure the traffic flow (is) better from both sides. (Johor) Menteri Besar (Datuk Osman Sapian) talked about the crooked bridge and third (link) bridge, so we think third (link) bridge is a priority.

"There are many items on the table, our focus should be on what is more immediate and effective to ensure that whoever needs to travel between the two countries get the best mode of transport. The position of DAP is that we are supportive of the third (link) bridge, and the immediate need is to speed up the construction of the (Johor Baru-Singapore) Rapid Transit System ," he said.

Other aspects to improve include "speed of passing through" the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex in Johor Baru, according to Liew.
 
theedgemarkets.com also spoke to Subang MP Wong Chen on the crooked bridge between Malaysia and Singapore. 

Wong told theedgemarkets.com via WhatsApp today that while the cost of building the crooked bridge was not revealed, the project should not be a priority, considering the government's financial situation.

"We need to look at the cost, but I don't think this should be a priority project, in view of the expected tight government budget," Wong Chen said.

Liew and Wong was commenting on news reports that the construction of the crooked bridge between Malaysia and Singapore, first mooted by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohmad 15 years ago, is being looked into again.

The Edge Financial Daily reported today that Osman said yesterday of Dr Mahathir having indicated at a meeting with Johor officials last month that he had “no problem” in reviving the project.