What is the fixation with bridges by Barisan Nasional politicians? Even before the fallout and debacle from the cancellation of the scenic bridge has subsided, another politician calls for building of yet another bridge.

The Star on reports that the Malacca government has proposed the construction of a 60km bridge linking Melaka to Dumai in Sumatra, Indonesia. Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam claims that the proposed bridge would cost about RM1 billion to RM2 billion and it would have greater economic potential since Sumatra has a population of 70 million (compared to Singapore with only 4 million).

What irks me are the flippant reasons given to justify the need for such a bridge. If a 1.4 km scenic bridge could cause so much problems, one shudders at the potential problems a 60km Malacca-Dumai bridge would create.

This would include social consequences, financial implications not to mention the legal complications in international law for the construction of such a bridge.

The economic lure of the 70 million population of Sumatra is used to justify the necessity for a bridge. However, scant regard is given to the possibility that construction of such a bridge would only hasten further social and security problems in Malaysia caused by illegal migrants to Malaysia.

The chief minister who made the comparison with Singapore's population ought to know that there are hardly any Singaporean overstayers in Malaysia. On the other hand, the Malaysian government has been for years trying hard to flush out Indonesian overstayers, many of whom cause social problems and crime.

Considering the above, does Malacca and Malaysia still need such a bridge?