Parliamentarians are wondering if the government's decision to scrap the 'half bridge' project would render the RM1.2 billion customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex a white elephant.

In welcoming the decision, Backbenchers Club chairperson Shahrir Samad said it will end the debates over Singapore's request to access Malaysian airspace and Malaysia supplying sand to the island.

"Nevertheless, the concern now is how the CIQ complex will be fully utilised and not be abandoned. We have to wait and see," said the Johor Baru MP when met by reporters at the Parliament building.

"Maybe it could be used as the Johor Baru MP's office," he quipped.

Shahrir said the money saved from the halted construction of the bridge - also known as the scenic bridge - should be used to enhance the road system in Johor to ease traffic congestion,

On what lesson could the government learn from this episode, he said: "Plan well and think ahead". He also cited Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's catchphrase 'human capital'.

Win or lose?

Backbencher Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) also expressed concern over the CIQ, saying it was difficult to connect the complex with the causeway due to the road gradient.

"This I have to leave it to the experts in the Public Works Department to come out with a solution. I don't want to see the project turn into a white elephant. In the worst case scenario, the complex may be modified for other purposes," he said when met at the same venue.

Asked if the government's decision could be seen as a 'loss', he replied: "I don't want to use the word lose or win in this battle but this is the best decision the government can make."

Some 50 parliamentarians met with Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar earlier for an impromptu 20-minute briefing following the cabinet decision to scrap the bridge today.

The best way

Meanwhile, Syed Hamid told a press conference at the Parliament lobby that the government will ensure that the CIQ complex will serve its purpose.

He also said the contractors would not lose out as a result of the government's decision and whatever cost incurred "would be looked at accordingly to the terms and conditions of the contract."

Elaborating, he said there has been "so much feeling over giving airspace and digging our sand".

"We have been going around and listening to feedback, we think the best way is for us to stop the project. We still have the causeway, we have the second link, the second link is still being used

"We hope all these things will bring a new dimension to the story of our bilateral relationship with Singapore, so we don't need to go on having this thing hanging over our heads. We leave it as it is. Singapore said it will be difficult for it to justify to its public to have a new bridge as a replacement, so now we have decided not to do it," he said.

Asked if the decision was in the country's best interest, the minister replied: "The government never makes a decision that does not serve the nation's interest."