Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has only himself to blame for his pet project - the crooked half-bridge to Singapore - being scrapped. And this insider view comes from no less than his former deputy, Anwar Ibrahim.

At a press conference today to discuss recent economic developments, Anwar was asked for his comments on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision to ditch the project.

Anwar, who said he had been privy to information in the early stages of the project, said Mahathir made his "first blunder" when he sent then finance minister Daim Zainudin to negotiate with Singapore's then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew over the terms of the project.

The RM1.1 billion proposed bridge was intended to replace the 82-year-old causeway over the Johor Straits.

"I think it is unfortunate and dangerous for Dr Mahathir to proceed with this sort of rancour and criticism. If the issue is explained, he committed the first blunder by assigning Daim to negotiate for Malaysia without first referring to the cabinet and without (creating) records in the treasury," he said.

Anwar - who is on a short break from his stint as a professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC - said this at his home in Damansara this afternoon.

He said Mahathir should have sent "a more competent negotiator" since talks with Singapore - which shares a common history and cultural background with Malaysia - could be tough.

"I would grant the criticism of many that negotiations with Singapore are not always easy. The solution therefore is to send competent people to negotiate. If you send semi-literates to negotiate, we will lose out in the negotiations."

Asked on the outcome of the negotiations between Daim and Lee, Anwar revealed that the two had signed a 'Points of Agreement' document which detailed contentious points raised by the two countries.

"When the bridge project came up then, Singapore had stated that they want a comprehensive agreement. They want to take all into account - water, sand, bridge, Tanjung Pagar railway properties...."

Anwar, however, declined to comment on whether there is a rift between Abdullah and Mahathir, adding that no one can stop the latter from expounding critical views

"He has every right to express his views. We believe in democracy. Now he's beginning to understand at the age of 80 something of what democracy means - freedom of expression, the right to differ and dissent, free media, independent judiciary. I wish him well."

Decision commendable

Expressing full support for Abdullah's decision to abandon the project, Anwar said it was a commendable decision.

"It takes a lot of courage and wisdom ... after weeks of massive campaigns against Singapore ... (for Abdullah) to suddenly say that the decision (to build the bridge) was faulty and that we have to scrap the project...it's commendable."

"I support the decision taken by Abdullah because any responsible leader cannot proceed with a project affecting another country without that sort of arrangement being made.

"Even if it's not related to relations between Malaysia and Singapore, you cannot imagine in this modern time any country wanting to undertake a major project - a bridge, highway, whatever - affecting another country, unilaterally. We have condemned the United States for its unilateral decision to invade Iraq, so we can't seriously proceed in such manner (ourselves)."

He also said a responsible leader must have the courage to review any project that is deemed "uneconomically viable".

"Why would we want to build a half-bridge to nowhere? So that we can take the bridge and make a U-turn to come back?" he joked.

"For those who want to have half a bridge - some are multi-billionaires themselves - can go ahead to build the bridge but not at the people's - the taxpayers' - expense."

Pak Lah 'not blameless'

However, he said Abdullah was not blameless in that his decision came at a critical stage of project implementation.

"The problem is compounded because of the way this country is being managed under Abdullah. I mean you should have done your homework and should not allow for this matter to drag on so long," he said.

Anwar also offered assistance to the government on issues involving bilateral ties, saying he could draw from his experience in the government, including as finance minister between 1993 and 1998.

"I would not discount any possible meeting with Abdullah if he were to ask my views on the issues ... like the negotiations with Singapore on the bridge and even information on the negotiations with Indonesia on border issues."

He clarified that this does not imply a wish to rejoin Umno, saying he has already decided against this.

"I will not be serving the government. But I am a Malaysian and very loyal to the country and will do my best to serve," he added.