Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was evidently upset that the government had abandoned one of his most cherished pet projects - the 'crooked bridge' to Singapore.

In what was widely considered a direct criticism of the present government, Mahathir yesterday said work on the controversial bridge would have started two and a half years ago had he remained prime minister.

"We've got to consult all quarters when doing something in our own country. If we do not consult outsiders, we might do the wrong thing and will have to bear the consequences," he was quoted as saying by the Sun .

"Consultation with the neighbours is very good. If the neighbour disagrees, we have to take into consideration their views, even if what we are doing is within our own country," he said with sarcasm.

"At that time, it (Singapore) did not even have a position, we were about to start (construction) but I retired. If I did not leave, it would have started two and a half years ago.

"If we wait, they will find so many things (reasons) more. We have to give them sand, air space... Now, we no longer ask about the price of water which is sold at three sen. It is quiet now. That way, we would be in better terms with our neighbours."

Dr M: I wasted more money

Asked by reporters whether the project was a waste of money, Mahathir replied: "It is okay... I wasted a lot more money - the mega projects."

He also commented on the new RM1.2 billion customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex, which could be rendered a white elephant as it was built with the new bridge in mind. With the bridge plan scrapped, a link road is now required to connect the causeway to the complex.

"I heard Singapore plans to turn it (CIQ) into the biggest shopping complex in Southeast Asia. Singapore suggested it, it could not be illogical, right? This is not being sarcastic. This is sincere. Turn it into a shopping complex - beautiful and sophisticated," he said.

"We have to look after the people's heart. Johor, according to Singapore, is full of crime. If no bridge, no causeway, Singaporeans won't go to Johor. So there won't be crimes. ... As usual, we keep quiet."

The combative ex-PM also said that he was not surprised by the decision to scrap the project.

"I am not surprised. Many times the government reserves decision when people disagree... toll hikes... The government is caring. Even (with) people outside our country, with our neighbours, the good ones, the nearby ones. We must be very nice to them.

"We have been taking into account Singapore's views ... They do not want the bridge, they want the causeway because it is nostalgic to (former Singapore prime minister and now senior minister) Goh Chok Tong, we just accept it."

Economic fears

When he was prime minister, Mahathir, 80, was instrumental in pushing for a new bridge to replace the 82-year-old causeway. The new bridge would enable water in the polluted Johor Strait to flow freely and ships to pass through it.

However, there was a lengthy impasse to the project when Singapore objected to tearing down the causeway in favour of the 1.4km full bridge.

Part of Singapore's fear is the economic implication on the city state as more ships could use Johor's port given that they could now pass through the strait.

Two months before Mahathir retired in 2003 after 22 years in office, he mooted a new plan - to build a 'crooked bridge' on Malaysia's half of the causeway which will then link up with Singapore's half.

The bridge was not straight because vehicles need a gentle gradient to climb up the bridge before going down to connect to Singapore's side of the causeway.

This new design met the bridge's earlier specifications - to allow free flow of water in the strait and ships to pass through below it.

But in a surprised move, Mahathir's handpicked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi killed off the RM1.1 billion project on Wednesday, despite the project being given the go-ahead by the government only three weeks ago.

According to Abdullah, the plan had to be abandoned due to negative public sentiment over the demands Singapore had made in exchange.

Among the demands were the use of Malaysian airspace for the training of Singapore's jet fighters and the supply of sand for its land reclamation projects, as well as possible legal problems over the need to temporary cut water supply to Singapore during the construction of the 'crooked bridge'.