At long last, the crooked bridge episode is finally ended, much to the relief to the vast majority of the rakyat. It saves billions of the taxpayers' money. But in this whole drama, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar proved himself again to be the merry-andrew.

A few years ago, after Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a press statement that he had had a four-eyed meeting with the Singapore prime minister regarding certain issues, Syed Hamid Albar promptly followed with another statement that he, too, was present at the said meeting.

Now, he says that we could have won the crooked bridge case if it was referred to the International Court of Justice. Assuming that statement is true, this should have been done a long time ago.

With the case won, we need not negotiate at all with Singapore. Armed with a judgment in our favour, a straight bridge can then be constructed. We also need not accede to their use of our air space or other what not.

Come on, Syed Hamid, stop clowning around. Just admit that we have blundered in this deal. You will gain more respect from the rakyat.