It’s final – no scenic bridge

Dr M: Build the bridge and I'll stop commenting

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday that he would stop commenting if the bridge across the Johor Strait was built.

"Pak Lah (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has to build the bridge. If he does that, I don’t have any more comments."

His reply came spontaneously when he was asked by reporters to comment on deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s sale of his stake of 10.2 million shares in ECM Libra Avenue Bhd, a financial services company. Khairy is also Abdullah’s son-in-law.

"Oh yes... that is good. First, they have to sell, then they should leave the fourth floor and go away somewhere and Pak Lah has got to build the bridge. If he does that, I don’t have any more comments.

"Now Proton is dead... all the vendors, all the dealers and salespeople are all losing money, so they are doing a good job serving Proton as promised by the Prime Minister."

Dr Mahathir, speaking after a convocation ceremony at the Multimedia University, also challenged Khazanah Nasional’s board of directors to show proof that they did not support Proton’s decision to buy debt-ridden MV Agusta SpA in 2004.

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan had said on Saturday that he was in Khazanah at that time and "we never agreed to the purchase as Agusta was saddled with a RM400-million debt, but the plans went directly to the top".

Dr Mahathir said: "They can prove it. I am quite sure they have documentary proof of this. Bring it out and show that there was no approval."

The former prime minister also hit back at Pahang Umno chief, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, who alleged that Dr Mahathir was being used by some quarters.

"He (Adnan) is entitled to his opinion. When I was prime minister for 22 years, there were a lot of irresponsible people influencing me."

On the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that he believed Dr Mahathir wanted to topple the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir replied: "He has his opinion, I have my opinion, takde apa (it’s nothing). This is a democratic country. It is his right to say what he wants."

Asked if he had such an intention, Dr Mahathir said: "Not me. I have no way of toppling the Prime Minister of this country... no, no way. I am not forming a new party and I am not doing anything. I am not even allowed to talk to Umno (leaders and members)".
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Monday/National/20060814085929/Article/index_html


JOHOR BARU: The Government will not budge from its decision to scrap the scenic bridge project, says Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Prime Minister said the decision was made in the interest of the people and after discussions in the Cabinet.

Abdullah was commenting on former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that he would stop making remarks if the bridge across the Johor Strait was built.

“He can say anything but I am the prime minister and I have a job to do.

“Once a decision is made, it is made,” he told newsmen after launching the MSC Cyberport Johor here yesterday.

Cyberport, Johor's equivalent of Cyberjaya, hopes to attract some 200 local and foreign companies with investments worth RM400mil within the next year.

Asked whether there was a possibility that the bridge project would be revived later, Abdullah just kept quiet and shook his head indicating “no”.

On whether issues regarding Dr Mahathir were raised during a closed-door meeting with Johor Umno leaders held earlier in the day, Abdullah said several questions were raised but after the discussions he did not think any new issues would be brought up by the state Umno.

Abdullah promised the people of Johor that development in the state would not just focus on its southern region.

He said it would be extended throughout the state and beyond its boundaries to Malacca and the Klang Valley.

Along with the development, the Government would also work on reducing crime and social ills in the state.

“In order to develop and ensure ongoing foreign direct investment in the state, it is crucial to ensure that safety is maintained,” he added.

He also gave his assurance that the latest technological advances would be used to help the police fight crime in Johor.