Below are readers' comments on the ongoing controversy over the aborted bridge project linking Singapore and Johor Baru and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call that a referendum be held to determine the people's position on the matter. A reader also responds to the recent decision by the Federal Court to allow local authorities to enforce morality by-laws.

Sankar: I fully agree that Syed Hamid should go or be sacked and all the ministers who made statements and announcements must follow suit. The obvious questions that come to mind of the ordinary citizens are: one, didn't anyone, in particular the cabinet, think through the process of building the bridge with or without Singapore's consent?

Two, how could a contract worth millions of ringgit be signed without a final decision and providing a clause for compensation of RM100 million when the contractor did not lift one brick?

Three, the public are now told that the construction was called off after taking into account public opinion. Who were those consulted? Were the people consulted before announcing the go-ahead with the bridge?

It shows the standards of our civil servants and our politicians, especially our Cabinet vis-a-vis Singpore in terms of knowledge, competence, the full spectrum. Not that we do not have people as good or better than Singapore's but they have no place in our government and civil service

Let us admit it, we made a fool of ourselves internationally as a country. What can the ordinary Malaysian citizen do? Just weep in disgrace and shame for our government's stupidity.

Don't Stir, Sir: I think Tun Mahathir should refrain from saying so much. The more he says on any particular matter the more his credibility and respect get eroded.

Fancy asking for a referendum on the issue of the bridge.

During his tenure of office, there were more issues which he did which caused harm to Malaysia and which many disagreed with. Did he ask for a referendum then?

Don't be like that, Tun.

LS Kong: Of course Tun Dr Mahathir can say whatever he wants - he is a Tun, he still has a strong Umnoputra support base and the cops miss the good old days when he was PM and they could do anything without scrutiny.

When he feels his interests, or the interests of his interests, are threatened we can expect him to mastermind something. We shall see.

Dhammika: The cancellation of the bridge project was a result of poor foresight. But whatever the decision now, it is never too late to start negotiations all over again. I agree that a referendum must be the order of the day because it will allow the people's involvement in the decision- making process.

Please let me remind the government that there are many wise intellectuals in the country so let us get together to formulate a good, wise decision. There is nothing wrong or humiliating in going for a referendum.

It make sense to build a new bridge and relocate the water pipes too along with it. This is our calling and not Singapore's and by doing so we care for the waterway's well-being.

Let us not allow Singapore to place any conditions benefitting them even further before we can start the project.

Another Ordinary Citizen: The ex-prime minister has now come to the realisation that he is just an ordinary citizen now, how true.

To respect this view of his, I think you should now not give due emphasis to what he says. There are 26 million ordinary citizens in Malaysia.

Imagine what happens if you publish all 26 million views: there would be no space for more worthwhile news.

Please heed Tun's position and treat him like an ordinary citizen.

Danieel: Tak sampai beberapa bulan harga minyak melambung naik, sekarang pulak harga TNB akan naik tak lama lagi. Nampaknya rakyat terpaksa menanggung beban dan ubah gaya hidup mereka serta merta.Yang pakai Wira, tukar lah ke Kancil dan yang pakai Kancil, tunggang motosikal. Adoi, memang sengsara hidup sebegini, siapa yang kaya dan siapa yang miskin jika perkara sedemikian tidak dipantau.Apa gunanya rizab negara mencecah RM270 bilion sedangkan rakyat menderita?

Kerajaan sanggup membayar pampasan sebanyak RM100 juta kepada kontraktor jambatan indah tersebut tersebut semata mata kerajaan tidak melaksanaka projek tersebut. Tetapi kerajaan tidak menuntut pampasan terhadap kontraktor yang gagal melaksanakan projek MRR2.

Sedih betul bila mengenangkan tahap pentadbiran yang tidak adil.Saya berhak menyuara dan mengatakan pandangan saya sebab saya adalah salah seorang pembayar cukai pendapatan. Yang tahu perit dan susah hanyalah mereka mereka yang ulang alik bekerja di Singapura.

Pernakah mereka-mereka yang menentang projek ini bekerja di negara tersebut? Mungkin tidak. Salah satu sumber pendapatan utama Johor adalah melalui pekerja-pekerja tersebut yang membawa pulang 'dollar' dari negara jiran dan menetap di Malaysia.

Memang perit bila dibayangkan semasa penunggang-penunggang motosikal berpusu-pusu mengejar masa ke tempat kerja mereka dalam keadaan sesat dan sempit.

Saya faham disebalik pembinaan jambatan ini terdapat kebaikan dan keburukan tetapi salah satu pihak harus tolak ansur untuk melaksanakan projek tersebut demi kebaikan rakyat yang selama ini menyokong Barisan Nasional.

Duduklah dimeja perundingan, bincanglah dengan teliti dan saya pasti tak mungkin masalah ini tak dapat diselesaikan. Tolonglah rakyat yang mederita ini.

On morality as reported in Lovebirds nest at DBKL .

HL Too: The reasons why we need the government to act as our guardians of morality are quite simple. Malaysians are an immature lot who need the government is act as our big nanny. We are constantly looking to the government and asking for 'guidelines'.

Please give us guidelines on how to behave. Please give us guidelines as to what is moral and what is not. Please punish us for not following the guidelines set by our nanny. That is the reason why when I receive my magazines, I get strategic parts of the human anatomy covered with black ink.

For instance, Malaysians should not really see a picture of the famous sculpture of David by Michelangelo because it is (oh mee gosh!) nakid! Lately, while watching the Astro channels on television, I noticed that the dialogue was kept mute in places. Then, I realised that of course, Malaysians cannot hear some words.

Not even the word 'ass'. 'Donkeys' are okay but 'asses' are not. That is the gospel according to the puritanical Malaysian censors (government or self-appointed nannies).

Therefore, kissing in public can be considered 'immoral'. If you ask me, spitting in public is more immoral (not to mention) unhygienic. However, nobody gets so emotionally worked up over something like spitting or littering.

As for public displays of affection? Our infantile Malaysian crybabies would continue to demand (petulantly) for guidelines and more guidelines from our beloved nanny, the Malaysian government.

On Lawyer: Landmark ruling in Metramac case

Fair-minded: To a layman like myself, any judgment that is right, fair and equitable is good news, even if it involves a decision against an earlier judgment.

Only the legal fraternity knows better whether there is any attempt to arrive at a decision to suit certain parties, as perceived by the public.

I hope the judiciary is on the road to recovering its battered image.