Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong today clarified that he was not in disagreement with advocates of the so-called "crooked bridge" to replace the Johor-Singapore Causeway.

He said that his widely reported comments yesterday that the third link should take priority over the "crooked bridge" was merely his suggestion on how to overcome the present traffic congestion on the two existing links.

"This is just a suggestion. Our priority is to improve traffic conditions," he said when met in Parliament today.

He added that the government currently has the opportunity to study various options to improve traffic conditions.

"I think the government should consider (a third link). I think the government should (study its feasibility) and take action," he said.

The "crooked bridge" or "scenic bridge" idea stemmed during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's first run as prime minister.

At the time, the premier wanted to replace the Malaysian half of the causeway with a 25m elevated portion to allow small vessels to pass below. It will also allow the Tebrau Straits to flow freely.

Singapore had refused Malaysia's request to have the entire causeway replaced on grounds that the link was still usable.

The "crooked bridge" project was jettisoned by the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration in 2006 on grounds that Malaysia could not afford it.

This sparked off Mahathir's campaign to oust Abdullah which succeeded in 2008.

Like Liew, Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said yesterday that the "crooked bridge" was not a priority.