Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - who has openly opposed successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision to scrap the half-bridge project - should be allowed freedom of expression just like anyone else, said parliamentarians.

"It is okay, Malaysia (is a) democratic country, everybody can make comments. Whether the government takes that into consideration or not, that's up to the government, (but) we cannot stop anyone making comments," Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin told malaysiakini today.

"Let him (Mahathir) do his job and let Pak Lah (Abdullah) do his job too. (Mahathir) is just being vocal as usual. He is still respected throughout the world. Someone like him would find it very hard to stop talking."

Met at the Parliament lobby, Bung Moktar added that the government's decision was made in the interests of the people and that construction of the bridge could not proceed if it meant that the government had to compromise by giving up airspace and selling sand to Singapore.

Wong Nai Chee (BN-Kota Melaka) also disagreed with detractors' claims that Mahathir's vocal opposition over the weekend was tantamount to intervention in the current administration.

"I think he is merely giving his opinion as an elder statesman, so I don't think he is intervening. He is just voicing his opinion in his personal capacity. Of course, there is some difference in opinion with the cabinet decision.

"I don't think that what he said would make our PM's life more difficult. As I said, it remains his personal opinion and we all know that he has passed the baton to Abdullah."

The backbencher said he felt that Mahathir's statement would not change the cabinet's view of the issue, since it was a collective decision. He also noted that the ex-prime minister's reaction was understandable since the half-bridge was the latter's pet project.

Wong argued that, because Mahathir's decision was a political decision, Abdullah was not bound by the decision, unlike a court judgement.

'Mixed feelings'

Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) said it would be unwise to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice - as Mahathir suggested - since the government would be taking a risk.

He drew a comparison between Mahathir's differences with the government to a period when Mahathir had faced a similar situation with the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman ( photo ).

"That's just Mahathir's opinion....his opinion is just like our opinion," said Mohd Alwi.

Asked if the Mahathir is being dubbed 'Mr Opposition' now, the Ketereh MP replied: "No, no, he does not oppose all issues. Of course, he has a different style... I have different opinions from my father...it doesn't mean he is not relevant, he was good in his time."

Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Itam) also echoed the view that Mahathir is entitled to his right to an opinion.

"I think his very frank comments on the bridge have caused some mixed feelings. When he visited the customs, immigration and quarantine complex (on Saturday), he was accompanied by state officials and they were in a very difficult position too," said Wee.

Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib rejected an emergency motion moved by Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) today to debate the cabinet decision to scrap the half- bridge.

Ramli said that since the cabinet has taken into consideration the people's views, the matter could be considered as resolved. Therefore, there was no urgency to debate the matter although it involves public interest.