The repeated, openly made criticisms of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the current government's decision to scrap the controversial half-bridge project is seen as attempt by him to undermine the present administration, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Speaking during his ministerial winding-up speech on the supplementary budget bill, Nazri said this was because Mahathir was wrong in all aspects of the bridge controversy and was now making "irresponsible wild accusations".

"My cabinet colleagues' and my hope is that Tun will fulfill his promise to us that he will not intervene in government affairs when he is retired," he said to which a few backbenchers were heard responding 'Yes, yes'.

"Advise us but when there are repeated open criticisms made by Tun, this is seen as an attempt to undermine the present government - a government which is a continuity from Tun himself," said the minister.

Nazri said he did not mean to offend or be disrespectful to Mahathir or that he did not appreciate Mahathir's contribution to the country but reminded the latter that he had not been given a 'blank cheque' to criticise the government.

Delivering the government's strongly-worded rebuttal against Mahathir, Nazri said the decision to scrap the controversial half-bridge project was a collective decision by cabinet members, the majority of whom were appointed by the ex-premier himself.

'Half-past six'

"Tun is only one person while the cabinet is formed by 32 ministers who deliberated the matter before reaching the decision.

"When Tun stated that this country is 'half past six with no guts', was he referring to all cabinet members? However, 21 out of the 32 cabinet members were appointed by Tun previously.

"I don't think Tun meant what he said because otherwise, many questions will arise against him (over the appointments of these senior ministers) [..] I don't think he is also half-past six with no guts," said Nazri.

Reading out from a statement, the minister said: "Tun (Mahathir) is wrong on all points."

The statement was in response to demands from several backbenchers who earlier today wanted the government to make a clear stand on a letter written by Mahathir and sent to all members of parliament in which the ex-PM disputed the government's decision to stop the half-bridge project to Singapore.

Nazri said there was 'no truth' in Mahathir's allegation that Malaysia had sold out on its sovereignty to Singapore over the decision as Malaysia would need prior consent from Singapore to build the other half of the bridge on the latter's territory.

"Therefore the question of sovereignty does not arise here. What's the point for us to show sovereignty if that bridge was to be useless in not helping us to connect (the two countries)," he said.

Fuzi 'professional'

Nazri also rebutted Mahathir's statement that Malaysia was only interested in selling sand to Singapore as part of the bridge project deal.

"This is an irresponsible wild accusation made by a former government leader against his colleagues who have been working hard and were loyal to him (Mahathir) at the time when he was the prime minister," he said.

The minister said the government does not want to sell the sand to Singapore and thus has decided to scrap the bridge project. The Singaporean demand for sand in return for its consent to build the bridge was a new condition by the republic and not an offer from the Malaysian cabinet, he added.

Nazri, who is also the de facto law minister, also defended Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak's explanation on the bridge controversy which also came under Mahathir's attack.

"Fuzi is a professional diplomat who has given a complete explanation [...] he was not playing politics and making up stories. If Tun said (Fuzi) was rambling, I think that was because Tun did not have the points to rebut the truth in Fuzi's explanation and reply," Nazri said.

'Conditional agreement'

After Nazri had ended his speech, parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) stood up and asked why the Mahathir's cabinet - of which a majority comprise the present cabinet - had unanimously endorsed the decision to build the half bridge and later decided it should not continue.

Nazri said the decision to build the bridge was made by Mahathir alone before being discussed by the cabinet and the decision was a 'conditional agreement pending further discussion' including on Malaysia's legal rights.

He said officially, no 'memorandum' was brought before the cabinet to make a decision on the bridge project. According to him, a memorandum is usually needed be tabled to the cabinet for any official decision.

Lim then questioned why the government was belatedly informed that there would be legal issues if the project proceeded which also contradicted Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar's remark that the law was on the Malaysian side if the matter was to be brought to an international court.

Replying, Nazri said: "We were advised by the attorney-general a long time ago (that it is not advisable to continue with the project) but we can't simply give up the negotiations [...] that's why the negotiations continued.

"It is also explains earlier correspondence between the two countries such as when (ex-Singapore premier) Goh Chok Tong indicated interest in the project but towards the end, Singapore demanded for our air space and sand," he said.

From 'Perlis to Sabah'

On Syed Hamid Albar's confidence, Nazri argued: "If an accused is brought to court, we can't say he is guilty because there is possibility that he will win the case. Similarly, although Malaysia has a strong case, Singapore has a strong case too."

To Lim's query as to how Mahathir could be deemed as 'undermining the present government', Nazri said this was because Mahathir has chosen to send his letters on the issue to all parliamentarians even after Fuzi had made an explanation.

Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) then interjected and said: "I hope the former premier does not interfere in this matter anymore. We support what our current premier has decided, other parties shouldn't interfere anymore. Enough is enough".

Earlier this morning during the debate, Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin) said that although he appreciated the contribution and leadership of the 82-year-old Mahathir during his 22-year rule, he was 'sad' that the latter had interfered in the present administration.

"The current prime minister's decision to scrap the bridge took into consideration the feelings of the people from Perlis to Sabah," said the backbencher.