The half-bridge issue appears to be getting everybody riled up.

Not only has former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad gone on a rampage, the issue also gnaws at the nerves of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Works Minister S Samy Vellu - both of whom were at the same function today.

Abdullah's tone went up a notch when quizzed on the cost incurred while Samy Vellu exploded after being questioned on his spat with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which stemmed from the cancellation of the project.

Speaking at a press conference after chairing a Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Abdullah proclaimed that scrapping the bridge was more financially prudent than to build it.

However, the premier, who is also finance minister, appeared uncertain about the figures involved.

How can it be higher?

Previously, it was reported that the government might have to fork out RM1.12 billion (in compensation, building a new highway and land premium) while the construction would cost

RM1.113 billion.

When this was pointed out, Abdullah asked: "How could the cost be higher than building the bridge?"

"You (journalist) are trying to assume all sort of things. Come on, this is not fair," he added.

Abdullah was then told that the Works Ministry estimated the cost at RM740 million while the Johor government had reportedly asked the federal government to pay RM380 million in land premium because of the cancellation.

The ministry's figures encompassed preliminary works (RM170 million), compensation to the contractor (RM100 million) as well as the new flyover and connecting roads (RM470 million).

This once again prompted a question from Abdullah.

"I want to have a correct figure, I want to know exactly how much. (It) cannot be more than the cost of the bridge. How could it be?" he asked.

The premier was then asked if the government would reduce the RM100 million compensation to be awarded to the bridge's contractor Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd.

"How can you say RM100 million compensation when we are not certain with the figure?" he retorted in a tone reflecting his irritation.

When pointed out that news reports had quoted him as disclosing the figure, he said: "Enough."

Enter Samy

Meanwhile, Samy Vellu who was seated near Abdullah at the press conference became visibly peeved when the question on his spat with the PAC was raised with the premier.

The PAC on Monday had suggested that the Works Ministry negotiate with Gerbang Perdana to reduce the compensation.

This sparked off a row between the PAC and Samy Vellu with the minister accusing it of meddling in his ministry.

Samy Vellu had said he would not attend a meeting called by the PAC next Thursday and the PAC warned that he could be cited for contempt of Parliament.

However, the minister remained adamant and even challenged the PAC to take action against him.

Abdullah said the controversy would be resolved because Samy Vellu would send a written explanation to the PAC.

"Just now I asked him, 'what are you going to do about this?' (He told me) he will send a letter as requested, so now there is no more controversy," he said.

After the press conference, journalists pursued Samy Vellu, pestering him for a response, and the minister suddenly turned his wrath on them.

" Jangan-lah ini macam , orang sudah kata tak nak bagi pandangan , (Don't be like this, I have said I'm not giving any comment)," he exploded and walked away.