Build Dr M's bridge, Hadi tells Pak Lah 
Malaysiakini
Sep 21, 2006

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has urged the government to construct the controversial crooked bridge in Johor.

The opposition leader said the current leadership should not allow anger towards former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to cloud their judgement.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur last night, he said the interest of the people should not be sacrificed in the pursuit of vengeance.

He said the government should not be quick to dismiss and cancel projects mooted by Mahathir’s administration just because of anger towards him.

“Projects that are good for the people should be continued. Those that are bad should be cancelled,” he added.

As for the crooked bridge, Hadi argued that it would boost the economy, especially in the southern state of Johor.

Mahathir had gone ballistics when his successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had scrapped the bridge recently.

The former premier had accused Abdullah of pandering to the whims of Singapore and failing to protect the sovereignty of Malaysia.

He had also denied the reasons cited by the current administration for cancelling the project.

'Weak spirit' 

Commenting on this, Hadi said the government could have cancelled the bridge due to pressure from Singapore.

“The government cancelled the bridge ... maybe because there was pressure from Singapore. A leader must be brave enough to face pressure.

“There is no point if the ‘material’ is strong but the spirit is weak,” he added.

Hadi said Abdullah should reform the weaknesses of Mahathir’s administration in areas such as democracy and education.

The PAS leader also urged the prime minister and his predecessor to end their squabble for the sake of the nation.

If it continued, Hadi warned that it would have negative implications as much time would be spent focusing on the crisis.

“Even though it is an Umno crisis, the implications are huge on the country and the people. How they want to solve this issue is up to the Umno people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hadi cited the National Economic Action Council as another important Mahathir project which should not be sidelined.