During the 1997 financial crisis, a Singaporean taxi driver told me very proudly and with a big smile that Dr M is now "begging" for Singapore's assistance (the release of Malaysians' Central Provident Fund money).

Singapore, instead of assisting its neighbour in an hour of need, started to negotiate terms and conditions of other outstanding issues to be resolved in a package. In the end, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad refused even to negotiate and instead, sorted the problem out his own way.

I think that event, more than anything else, has limited Singapore chances of working with Dr Mahathir and becoming a friendly neighbour. One wonders, if Singapore had assisted Malaysia during that time, would today's problems occur?

As far as I am concern, the building of a half-bridge ('Harebrained half-bridge, Dr M's legacy') is an excellent idea.

For a start, the existing bridge looks terrible and the water surrounding it stinks. Secondly and most importantly, the new half-bridge will tell the world that we have a problem with the country on the other side. The statement is loud and clear: build a bridge if it is possible.

Singapore always emphasises the rule of law when it best suits them. The bridge will show the rigid Singaporeans that the rule of law has limitations, and that diplomacy and tactfulness in international relations matter.

I hope that the Malaysian government will continue to out- kiasu the Singaporeans. In addition, we should make their life as miserable as possible by showering them with problems and disputes.

Dr Mahathir, keep up the good work. Your greatest legacy might be to leave Singapore with as many problems as you can before you leave the job. The 'half-bridge' would be an excellent start.