Singapore expressed surprise today over Malaysia's abrupt decision to scrap plans to build a "half-bridge" to the neigbouring city-state.

"We are surprised at this sudden decision when negotiations for a full bridge were still ongoing," a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a brief statement.

The spokesman was reacting to a statement by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Malaysia would abandon its plans to build the controversial structure which is supposed to replace its side of a causeway currently linking the neighbours.

"The Malaysian government has decided not to proceed with the construction of a bridge to replace the Johor causeway," Abdullah said in a statement, adding that all talks over the issue would be halted.

Singapore has maintained that Malaysia cannot unilaterally demolish its side of the causeway and replace it with a new half-bridge as this would affect water pipelines to the island-state, which buys about half of its drinking water supply from its neighbour.