JOHOR BAHARU, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Government should not issue statements in the form of threats and intimidation towards Malaysia pertaining to Kuala Lumpur's decision to go ahead with its decision to build a half-bridge on the Malaysia side of the Johor Causeway.
Backbenchers' Club Chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Singapore's strong statement towards Malaysia showed the republic did not want a solution to bilateral problems.
"I and Johor Baharu residents are very disappointed with the way Singapore made statements like threatening and intimidating us when negotiations are ongoing.
"It is too much," he told reporters after presenting financial aid under the Johor Baharu Parliamentary Tekun Assistance Scheme to 19 recipients here Friday.
Shahrir said the statement in Parliament by Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo did not reflect the goodwill of a country physically a close neighbour of Malaysia.
Yeo in the republic's parliament yesterday reiterated the country's stand that any move by Malaysia to demolish its part of the causeway and replace it with a half-bridge will bring about serious implications.
He said the matter had been explained to Kuala Lumpur through a third party note.
Yeo made the remark in response to the issue raised by members of parliament during the debate on the 2006 budget.
In January, Malaysia said it was going ahead with the plan to replace its side of the causeway with a crooked half-bridge, to be known as the "scenic bridge", after talks between the two countries had dragged on without any conclusion.
Shahrir, who is also Public Accounts Committee chairman, said although Yeo said negotiations would continue, he believed it would not reach any decision.
"It will not reach any way out because Singapore will continue to ask for something which we cannot give, namely sand and use of Johor airspace for its air force," said the Johor Baharu Member of Parliament.
He said the statement smack of a threat and intimidation by Singapore was a clear signal to the Malaysian Government that the republic would never agree with Kuala Lumpur's proposal to build a new bridge replacing the Johor Causeway.
"It's like pointing a gun at a man's head and forcing him to say yes," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Social and political issues related to Singapore and the South East Asia region. A blog which attempts to do so in a non-trivial manner treating opposing views with the respect they deserve. Contributions are welcomed from all regardless of your political persuasion.
4 Mar 2006
S'pore Should Not Issue Intimidating Statements - Shahrir
bernama.com
I hope we can get some explanation of what Singapore meant by "serious implications", it indeeds its threats and bullying tactics, than shame on the govt. But then again, Singapore has always tried to keep it low key and its always the Malaysian media that keeps leaking "new" decisions from the Malaysian govt, without our side knowing about it.
ReplyDeletesingapore garmen cannot get its way and throwing tantrums? snifff sniff
ReplyDeleteI still don't get this plan to "upgrade" their half of the bridge... Is one half going to look all flowery and colourful with "Malaysia Boleh" painted across it while the other half remains grey and dull?!?! If that half is the "scenic bridge"...wth does that make the other half???
ReplyDeleteEither way, it would still be a nice iconic metaphor for the SG-Msia dysfunctional relationship as ships sail through...