Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's scathing remarks over the half-bridge issue are seen by certain quarters as reneging on his promise of non-interference.

When this question was posed to Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003 after 22 years in office, he replied:

"They think just because I gave that assurance (of non-interference), therefore they can do what they like.

"I may have given that assurance, but if somebody wants to sell Malaysia to other people... because selling sand is tantamount to selling land to others as the sand will be used for reclamation.

"We made a mistake of giving Singapore to the British. You want to give some more?"

This was Mahathir's latest - published by the New Straits Times - in a series of almost daily outbursts over the cancellation of the half-bridge project mooted by his administration in 1996.

The bridge, slated to replace the Malaysian half of the causeway to Singapore, was scrapped by the present cabinet because it did not want to supply sand to Singapore and allow the island-state's air force to use the Johor airspace.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had cited negative public sentiment as well as legal restrictions and complications as the reasons behind the cancellation.

National sovereignty

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he would continue to stress that replacing the Malaysian half of the causeway was a question of national sovereignty.

"We fought very hard for independence, not these people, of course... we try to restore Malaysia's honour. It took a long time to restore maruah bangsa (national pride).

"Today, people respect us. But if we do this and surrender to Singapore, then you lose your honour." he added.

On Sunday, Mahathir had also expressed disappointment over the dismal media coverage of his opinions.

He claimed that some newspapers had received phone calls from government officials ordering them, "not to print this and that."

"Where is the press freedom? I know the reporters are also unhappy because what they report is not published.

"During my time, (Anwar Ibrahim) demonstrations were reported. We never rang up the press to tell them not to report. We do not ring up the press.

"Broadcast what I have to say. What I say is not even accurately published in the press," he said.

Remember Tunku's mistake

Turning his attention to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Mahathir said the premier must consider views from all parties and not just his benefactors.

"If you don't listen to other opinions, you will go wrong. If you only listen to your supporters, they will not say anything and you will get the wrong idea.

"Please remember what happened to (first prime minister) Tunku (Abdul Rahman) for not listening to the people. The most recent example would be (former Thai premier) Thaksin (Shinawatra).

"They did not listen to the people and they got into trouble. Suppress people's opinions and you may get away with the idea that you are right but you will find out one day that you are wrong," he added

Mahathir also brushed off suggestions of becoming a senior minister like former Singaporean premier Goh Chok Tong.

"I am not going to be some senior minister or minister mentor. I am an ordinary citizen and as an ordinary citizen, I will voice my opinion... it is up to the government to accept my view or not. It does not matter to me," he added