PARLIAMENT | A study needs to be conducted before the government decides whether to revive the “crooked bridge” project, said Works Minister Baru Bian.

"I was informed that it remains a proposal at this point and I am of the view that a study should (be conducted) before we make a decision," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Works Ministry will refer the reviving of the crooked bridge proposal to the cabinet for its views and direction as the project would involve a huge cost, and has socio-economic and political implications, he told Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam)

Wee urged the government to justify the construction of the crooked bridge to replace the Johor Causeway.

Baru also noted that the previous administration had spent RM257.4 million on compensation for the cancellation of the RM1.113 billion project.

Of that amount, he said RM155 million was paid to the main contractor, Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, RM67.8 million to the subcontractor and RM35 million was given as special compensation.

Meanwhile, Baru also said the government was studying plans to upgrade the heavily congested Johor Causeway. 

On Oct 16, Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian 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" proposal 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 Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration.

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

When met outside the Parliament lobby, Wee was quoted by The Star as saying that Osman had made the suggestion to please Mahathir, as it was allegedly the prime minister's dream to replace the Johor Causeway with the "crooked bridge". 

The Johor menteri besar had not justified the need to revive the project, he said. 

The main issue was to improve the traffic situation between Singapore and Johor, whereby people from both countries were currently spending hours travelling accross the bridge, he said. 

“If we build the ‘crooked bridge’ which has six lanes, it could fit more vehicles. But, traffic congestion would not be solved because the JKR said that they haven’t conducted a thorough study over the matter,” Wee said.