There he blows again.......
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DR MAHATHIR Mohamad on Friday said that Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's 'nostalgic' feelings towards the Causeway had blocked a plan by both countries to build a bridge to replace the 80-year old road link to Johor.
The Malaysian Prime Minister said Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew told him in a private meeting that while Mr Lee was acceptable to the idea, the project could only go ahead after Mr Goh retired.
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Dr Mahathir told more than 5,000 people during a day trip to Johor Baru: 'He said Goh Chok Tong has a nostalgia about the Causeway. So he said we can build the bridge after Goh Chok Tong retires.'
The Malaysian leader said this was the first time he was revealing the contents of his private discussions with Mr Lee on the road-bridge plan.
He said he was forced to do so for two reasons. One was the recent release of private letters between him and Mr Lee on the water negotiations, which had angered Malaysia.
The second reason was that he also did not want to be accused of not seeking Singapore's cooperation before going ahead with the project, which is expected to be ready in 2007.
'I tell you sincerely, by Allah, this is what he told me, I am not lying. He said we build the bridge after Goh Chok Tong retires and there won't be a nostalgic protest. This is what he told me.
'I feel very sad because the number of vehicles that cross the Causeway has risen dramatically, we cannot wait until Goh Chok Tong retires,' he said.
Dr Mahathir was speaking at the project site on a one-day visit to Johor.
The project is part of the Integrated Southern Gateway complex that includes a train station and customs, immigration and quarantine facilities, and road links.
It has been estimated to cost RM2 billion, with the bridge and railway line across the Johor Straits alone coming in at RM1 billion.
Singapore has said previously that it sees no compelling reason to tear down the existing Causeway and that the project on its side of the border would be costly.
Just when u tot it was safe to cross the causeway...... -
did u hear about the one where they say they will provide water* for singapore until the end of the world?
*clean, filtered water, not raw water............ -
think that old man across the causeway wants to create some problems. want PM goh to fight SM lee. evil...
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It seems that Dr M has suddenly developed the urge to spite our govt as payback for our releasing of the official correspondence to the press.
Despite his feeble attempts, it hasn't occured to him that "unofficial" remarks made at a closed door meeting have no relevance on the facts at work. PM Goh's official statement regarding the construction of the new causeway still stands and it clearly states that he supported (despite his personal reluctance) the construction of the proposed bridge.
How childish is Dr M that he believes his current statements will provoke more then mere kopitiam gossip. -
Confirmed...Parkinson disease on Dr. M can never be cured.
He is just trying to be funni to reveal about What SM Lee said... a revengeful brat pig...
If u hav seen the news, look at his cb face and expression when he spoke on the matter... as if he is damn forgiving and mature...puke...
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i am a gentleman
Check for your smiley here -
forgive....
but not foget -
useless for a senile person like Dr. M.Originally posted by whiteillum:forgive....
but not foget
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i am a gentleman
Check for your smiley here -
Originally posted by FireIce:did u hear about the one where they say they will provide water* for singapore until the end of the world?
*clean, filtered water, not raw water............
& 
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What is the real reason for the hurry to get this "Bridge Project" off the ground?
Goh Chok Tong will step down probably in 2004 or 2005 - only TWO more years.
Mahatir will step down in October 2003 - about SEVEN MONTHS time.
In politics, TWO YEARS is a blink for the eye; but SEVEN MONTHS is just too soon for any politicians who is about to retire, and too little time left to prepare the little nest left before retirement.
One last hurrah from a mega-ringgit project before retirement. -
i agree... its kinda obvious really... he wants to leave with a positive legacy... but too many things already damns his historical credentials...
first of all, is the anwar affair... that was a major black mark already
second, the failure to resolve the water issue
third, the failure to resolve the island issue
and lastly, of course, the causeway issue...
u realise that out of these four, the malaysian half of the causeway is THE ONLY ONE he can do anything about...
the rest have been taken off his hands thanks to his own inconsistency and incompetence.
water will be subject to arbitration (though no one knows when they'll get around to it...)
the island has been sent to icj and anwar is still too dangerous to let out of his cell...
the sipadan and ligitan issue is not likely to bolster his legacy cos it reflects indonesian incompetence more than malaysian success...
not to mention that racial polarization and de-facto segregation of the education system happened during HIS watch, and the economic conditions of the bumis have not improved as much as it should have given the affirmative action policy and unfair advantages built in place.
too bad mat... u're going doowwwwwnn... -
I dun see why Singapore should agree to the building of the bridge if they don't accede to Singapore's other demands in the first place.
The building of the bridge in this first place is to allow ships to pass through the straits under the bridge to get Malaysian ports. Currently, the causeway is in the way and ships can't pass through that straits.
The bridge will have totally NO benefits for Singapore at all. The fact that Singapore is shoulder half the cost for something that will only boost their port and do nothing for Singapore's is already something they should be happy about. . . why the hell are they still complaining about the bridge issue???
if there are other reasons for building the bridge, if I am incorrect, please enlighten me. Thx
my two cents -
regarding the anwar affair, some journalist should do an in-depth study of it, detail the whole process, judges invovled, secrets withheld, stuff which cannot be accounted for, inaccuracies, people involved, impact on various figures, who stands to gain, anwar's previous political record and record of his misdeeds or merits before the whole issue, etc.Originally posted by CX:i agree... its kinda obvious really... he wants to leave with a positive legacy... but too many things already damns his historical credentials...
first of all, is the anwar affair... that was a major black mark already
second, the failure to resolve the water issue
third, the failure to resolve the island issue
and lastly, of course, the causeway issue...
u realise that out of these four, the malaysian half of the causeway is THE ONLY ONE he can do anything about...
the rest have been taken off his hands thanks to his own inconsistency and incompetence.
water will be subject to arbitration (though no one knows when they'll get around to it...)
the island has been sent to icj and anwar is still too dangerous to let out of his cell...
the sipadan and ligitan issue is not likely to bolster his legacy cos it reflects indonesian incompetence more than malaysian success...
not to mention that racial polarization and de-facto segregation of the education system happened during HIS watch, and the economic conditions of the bumis have not improved as much as it should have given the affirmative action policy and unfair advantages built in place.
too bad mat... u're going doowwwwwnn...
Should be easier to get others to talk once mahathir steps down.
my two cents -
Allow ships to pass through the Straits of Johor, saling to and fro between the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea ?
It is a big joke, and the general population of Malaysia is being hoodwinked into this project, by the smooth talking Mahatir - the Great Story Teller (ref: MFA, Sgp).
If one is to look at the navigation chart of the Straits of Johor, any sea traffic will have to navigate on the Singapore side of the Straits of Johor - as the Malaysian side is simply too shallow for ships that has a deep draught.
The Second Link between Tuas on the Singapore side, and Gelang Patah on the Malaysian side is built with the support piers so close, that any ocean going vessels more then 30,000dwt can hardly sail between those piers.
Looking at the vehicular traffic situation at the Causeway, it is jammed thick only during the three hour period in the morning and evening, and during the two or three weeks (four times a year) of school holidays.
Throughout the whole year, the Causeway is sitting with a manageable traffic situation since the opening of the Second Link - which itself is stupendously under utilised.
There seem to be something more sinister, given the Malaysian political culture of patronage, in awarding mega-ringgit projects.
Otherwise one should question Mahatir's strategy to exacerbate the already fragile relationship, by trying to drive a wedge between Goh Chok Tong and LKY, while trying so hard to sell this idea to get the bridge built before he retires in seven months time. -
yo.... go to this link.... and you will know... who is the su-cker who trying to stir shit down here......
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/commentary/story/0,4386,171644,00.html? -
Originally posted by Atobe:the Great Story Teller (ref: MFA, Sgp).
MFA spokesman transcript at MFA site on 15 Feb 2002
"Prime Minister Mahathir is an entertaining story-teller. But for
facts, please refer to Minister JayakumarÂ’s statement in Parliament
and the exchange of letters between both sides.". OUCH.There seem to be something more sinister, given the Malaysian
I think he had already made clear his intention:
political culture of patronage, in awarding mega-ringgit projects.
Doing a strategic cat-skinning dance which he hope will ultimately
undermind Singapore's existence from economic to political front.
Why ?
To remove the political and economic strangle hold by ethnic
Chinese in the region. NEP was a classic example. An indepedent
Singapore is the obvious next target.
Having a soverign and independent Republic is bad enough in his
view and having it being the most developed and welloff only adds
more salt to a wounded pride..
Noted his 2003 Valentine wishes to his "brothers and sisters " ?
(whatever happened to galfriend letters ? ) -
Disgusting, his "invations" to ordinary Singaporeans. Does he think we have no spine? His JB economy lives at our sufferance of his childish remarks.
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Datuk Seri Syed Hamid said he would not waste his time responding to Singapore's 'unkind and ungenerous description' of Malaysia.
'I think it is not unusual for Singapore to play this type of game. I think we will be wasting our time if we respond because we have better things to do.
'Let them say whatever they want to say. I think the facts are very clear no matter how they spin it,' The Star quoted him as saying.
The Malay daily Utusan Malaysia also reported him as saying that the statement by Mr Goh was immature and was not unusual.
'I feel that there is no need for us to continue to respond and reply to the statements issued by them. All these will not bring any good.'
*yawn* Now they pretend to be the victimised ones...the Malaysians are getting real good at the game.
All the "politically correct" statements start to fly in from them, least of all their contradicting foreign minister...how quiant. -
After hitting below the belt, and being delivered a fatal counter blow by Singapore, the Malaysian FM is crying foul.
Now they try to take the moral high ground, after slithering in the mud and creating a murky path as they trudge to present a heroic effort to their parochial audience.
This seems to be a common trait amongst their kind that begin from Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and some personnalities in Indonesia.
They enjoy the twist and turn, and the intrigues of the Wayang Kulit, with all the cacophony of background sounds, and every little actions is supposed to be amplified by one's imagination.
Rewind to December 2002, when Abu Bakir Bashir - (the Indonesia Cleric accused of being the head of J.I.) - demanded for evidence that he is the Head of the J.I. movement in Malaysia and Singapore; and had the audacity to even sue for libellous damages against LKY and Goh Chok Tong.
Now an arrested Bali Bomber has faced Abu Bakar Bashir squarely in open court, and confirmed his accusation of Abu Bakar Bashir being the Head of the J.I. ring and for instigating the Bali Bombers in their task; it is deafening to "hear the silence" of the Indonesian Vice-President and his like-minded fellows, who gave such high regards to this supposedly gentle cleric.
Whenever, they are faced with a challenge, they demand evidence for the crime.
When evidence is finally produced, they are stunned into silence, and can only protest that those same evidence are fabricated.
The same was experienced BEFORE USA went into Afghanistan, when the Islamic World demanded evidence from USA.
After the defeat of the Talebans, the amount of evidence that finally surfaced and revealed the scope of the terrorist organisation was finally appreciated AFTER the US troops were able to scrounge through all the evidence left behind by the Talebans and Al Qaeda.
The entire Islamic World remained stoned silent, and RESENTFUL for being proven wrong.
The last event remain to be unfolded, and the truth will eventually appear from all the stealth and deceit of these "low bending types".
Singapore will have to sit it out with Mahatir retiring in October 2003; and with a cabinet reshuffle, one will simply have to wait out for FM Syed Hamid term of office till the next Pm select his cabinet members.
With Mahatir making so much trouble before his exit, and FM Syed Hamid doing just as much mischief, it looks like FM Syed Hamid may follow his mentor into permanent exit from the Cabinet. -
We may be small in size(sg), but we are formidable!!
Don't mess with us...
Jo.
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Peace for everyone...