PARLIAMENT | Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has reiterated his opposition to replacing the Johor Causeway with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's crooked bridge project.

"I don't like it bengkok (crooked), I like it straight," Najib told the Dewan Rakyat, eliciting laughter from the floor.

"If you want to build a bridge, make it a straight one. If it is crooked and joined to the existing Causeway, it doesn't make any sense. We will spend a lot but it won't solve congestion," he added.

Najib said a straight bridge would be more cost-effective.

Last week, Johor Menteri Besar said the crooked bridge project was back on the table.

Mahathir, however, said that it was not his idea to revive the project and that it had come from the floor.

The crooked bridge idea dates back to 2003 during Mahathir's first tenure as prime minister when he wanted to replace the Malaysian half of the causeway with a 25 metre elevated portion to allow small vessels to pass below.

It would also allow stagnant water along the Tebrau Straits to flow freely.

It was cancelled by the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration.

Mahathir then reportedly lobbied Najib to build the bridge but was unsuccessful.