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| Sunday, April 30, 2006 |
| 油厙爆炸狂燒9小時 火勢凌晨2時49分撲滅 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）從週五（28日）傍晚5時30分到凌晨2時49分，巴西古當柔佛海港儲油區油厙大火在狂燒了約9個小時之後，於週六（29日）凌晨2時49分被撲滅。
這場大火造成的損失還有待當局公佈。
大火發生時，許多人都不顧危險紛紛把車停在路旁，下車圍觀，有人還用手機拍下大火狂燒的場景。
大火發生後，消拯車一輛一輛的呼嘯而過，飛馳到現場灌救，震耳的鳴聲響徹寧靜的夜晚。參與搶救的除了巴西古當和新山的消拯隊伍，也包括來自新加坡的民防部隊，以及柔佛海港局本身的消防隊及來自鄰近兩家化學廠（出光和大騰）的消拯人員。
空氣中飄蕩欲嘔異味
公路上，因為不少居民自行疏散而出現車潮，交警也在場指揮車輛駛向安全方向。
午夜12時，火勢有變小的跡象，但是現場還是濃煙瀰漫，消拯車來了又去，氣氛緊張。
這時，路邊圍觀的人仍然很多，而在空气中飄蕩的味道則一直在變化，有時像油棕味，有時似煤气味，有時則像阿摩尼亞的味道，幾種味道混合的混雜著，令人聞之欲嘔。
經過逾9個小時的灌救，大火在凌晨2時49分左右被撲滅，救援人員也陸陸續續撤離現場，而交通也開始逐漸恢復正常。
雖然大火在凌晨已被撲滅，但是到凌晨5時12分，還是有許多人前往災場觀看，大約在清晨6時，這一帶的交通才恢復平靜。 （星洲日報‧2006/04/29） |
posted by Nobody @ 12:47 PM  |
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| Thursday, April 20, 2006 |
| 建美景大橋沒法律問題 馬哈迪：吳作棟曾來函認同 |
星洲日报
（布城訊）前首相敦馬哈迪醫生週一表示，他可以出示新加坡內閣資政吳作棟致給他的一封信函，來證明新加坡原本接納美景大橋的興建。
他說，大橋的興建並沒有法律問題的存在，新加坡前總理吳作棟在2002年致給他的一封信中表明，如果大馬要在本身的領土上建橋，這雖然不是一項理想的方案，但新加坡會接受，而且新加坡並沒有附加任何的條件。
他是週一在出席吉隆坡大學頒發工程科技榮譽博士給他的一項儀式後，在新聞發佈會上，發表談話。
“吳作棟說，如果橋建了之後，那麼長堤就拆除。”
他說，只是新加坡內閣資政李光耀後來說，吳作棟並不允許拆除長堤，這樣一來將會有大橋又有長堤。
他說，這只是李光耀的談話，李光耀並沒有職權，僅僅因為他被詢及是否同意吳作棟的做法，吳作棟才是最終的裁決人。
他也說，他也有遷移水管的條件，如果大馬有合法的理由要遷移水管，新加坡必須自費遷移水管，而非大馬承擔費用，除非我們本身不懂解讀合約。
馬哈迪：是否公投應詢問人民
針對政府並不接受公投建議問題，馬哈迪說，公投應該詢問人民的意見，並非只是詢問政府。
他說，他想政府犯了錯誤，以為人民不要賣沙，就解讀成不要建橋，根據他瞭解，人民要建橋，但不要賣沙，但可能政府有不同的理解。
他說，大馬沒有理由要賣沙或開放領空給新加坡，我們只是在大馬的領土上建橋，我們也已開始建橋，當為了詢問新加坡意見而停建後，當你詢問新加坡，新加坡就會附加條件。
“我們不能與新加坡解決所有的問題，原因是新加坡將所有的事物都綁在一起。”
至少應帶上國際法庭
他說，當一項問題無法解決，所有的問題將無法獲得解決，他們在消耗時間，這樣他們就可繼續付還3仙的水價。
詢及他是否非常不滿政府對不建橋的決定的問題，他不曾想過大馬政府會不戰而降，至少應帶上國際法庭處理。
他說，如果認為大馬的法庭能力不足，可交給國際法庭來詮釋合約。
他說，水管建在關稅、移民及檢疫站大廈的陸地上，如果我們要在該處進行工程，新加坡應該遷移水管，這些都清楚闡明在合法的合約上。
針對同樣的內閣成員同意和否決大橋興建的問題，他說，這就好像出售AGUSTA的情況一樣，同樣的人同意收購，並同意以1歐元脫售，他不知他們發生甚麼事。
他說，他不會做內閣資政，他只是一個平民，並不是前首相，而是平民，他有權發表意見。
詢及其言論會影響政府的問題，他說，交由政府去衡量，但不能阻止他發言。
出售沙土如出賣領土
馬哈迪醫生說，雖然他曾經保證在退休後不干政，但大馬不能重犯將新加坡交給英國的錯誤。
他是針對他退休後不會干政的問題，這麼表示。
他說，他們以為有了這項保證，他們可以為所欲為，他確實曾經這麼承諾，但是如果有人要出售沙土給他國，就有如出賣領土，因為沙土將用來填海。
“大馬曾經犯下將新加坡移交給英國的錯誤，我們是否要重犯同樣的錯誤。
“我的談話已經被‘禁’，我講的東西都不會被報導。”
他說，他並非因此事指責記者，而是相信他們受到操控。
適當時候續發言
詢及他是否還會繼續在適當的時候發言時，他說：“是的，我想我必須這麼做。”
“我們為獨立作出了很大的努力，並花了長時間來恢復民族尊嚴，今天人們尊敬我們，但是，如果我們因為新加坡而投降的話，那麼，我們就失去了尊嚴。”
針對壓制人民聲音的問題，他說，如果你不聆聽人民的意見，你就犯下錯誤，如果只是報導支持的聲音，政府將會獲取錯誤的概念。
他說，基層的人民可能想法不同，必須緊記不聽取民意的下場，如最近泰國首相塔辛就因為沒有聽取民意而陷入困境。
在位時不曾干預報導
他說，壓制人民的意見，可能以為自己做對了，但是，有朝一日會發現做錯；因此，不應壓制新聞自由。
他說，在他的年代，媒體可以自由報導示威，政府不曾致電報章切勿刊登，沒有人會接獲政府的電話甚麼不能刊登，這就是所謂的新聞自由。
他說，一些記者可能也不喜歡，因為報導不被刊載。
他說，就如他在新山所發表的談話，電視並沒有播放，雖然報章有刊登，但也是斷章取義，並不十分正確。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 12:11 AM |
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| 馬哈迪：僅反對賣沙給新加坡 人民未同意取消建橋 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）前首相敦馬哈迪說，人民不願意把沙賣給新加坡及開放領空，並不表示人民同意取消建造美景大橋的計劃。
“政府可以舉行一場公投，問問人民是否想要美景大橋。到目前為止，人民並沒有說他們不要美景大橋。可是，政府卻說這是人民的意願。”
他說：“我不認為人民不要美景大橋，人民只是不要賣沙給新加坡。”
他表示人民在賣沙給新加坡的課題上一直保持強硬態度，因為新加坡以買得的沙來擴大領土，而且對大馬海域造成污染，漁民生計受到打擊。
他說：“可是不能因為新加坡沒有得到沙，建橋計劃就被否決。”
他週六（15日）在新山巡視新移民、關稅和檢疫大廈後，在新聞發佈會上發表談話。
陪同他巡視的嘉賓包括柔佛州務大臣拿督阿都干尼、南方門戶有限公司公司董事經理拿督耶也哈欣及建築總監黃錦仁。
應帶至國際法庭裁決
針對大馬政府不想與新加坡陷入長期的法律戰，所以才取消建橋計劃的問題，敦馬哈迪表示，大馬政府應該先把問題帶至國際法庭裁決。
他指出，大馬和印尼曾就西巴丹島和利吉丹島的主權問題而帶至國際法庭裁決，最後證明這2個島嶼歸大馬所有，印尼也對判決沒有異議。
他說：“我聽說取消建橋計劃是基於法律問題，我不知道啦。不過，我聽說外長拿督斯里賽哈密曾表示若把建橋問題帶上國際法庭，我方將勝訴。”
他說：“我們做了決定，決定向新加坡的要求低頭，卻以人民不同意賣沙和開放領空為藉口。” |
| posted by Nobody @ 12:02 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 |
| 馬哈迪：須徵詢新國 棄建彎橋典當國家主權 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）前首相敦馬哈迪說，他週六（15日）在巡視新移民、關稅和檢疫大廈時，一直強顏歡笑，因為他不相信在有生之年，國家主權竟然如此輕易地被典當。
他說：“我們放棄了大馬國土，因為有人告訴我，我們不能在自己的國界內興建公路，我們必須先徵求新加坡的同意。”
馬哈迪指出，他從一開始便參與美景大橋的建造計劃，而他也很清楚大馬的情況，所以當新加坡不同意建造一條直橋時，他便提出建造彎橋的概念。
他說，在遷移銜接新柔兩地的水管課題上，根據協議，只要我國有需要，大馬只需在6個月前向新加坡發出通知，新加坡就必須遷走水管，而且大馬政府不需要支付新加坡任何費用。
他指出，大馬在建造新火車站和道路時也曾遷移該國位於陸上的水管；但是若把遷移水管工作講成是一種挑釁行為，這是很不合理的。
“新加坡只顧自己利益”
馬哈迪表示，新加坡只注重本國的利益，該國就曾經因為不願多付1萬美金的獻金給東南亞教育部長協會，而選擇退出該組織。
他是針對一名記者表示新加坡政府不同意建造美景大橋，是否可能削弱岌巴碼頭競爭力的問題，作出上述答覆。
他說，當他還是教育部長時，他代表大馬出席在菲律賓舉行的東南亞教育部長會議，當時與會者包括新加坡和多個東南亞國家的教長。
他說，這項會議曾討論增加獻金給東南亞教育部長協會，而新加坡必須增加1萬美金，可是富有的新加坡卻因為要多付1萬美金，結果選擇退出該組織，妄顧其他國家的利益。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:57 PM |
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| Sunday, April 16, 2006 |
| Dr M: We could have gone to ICJ |
TheStar
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia should have brought the dispute over the construction of the “scenic bridge” to the International Court of Justice if it has legal implications, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister believed many Malaysians wanted the bridge and he proposed a referendum to get public views.
“We backed off from the project as if we have surrendered. I was told we couldn’t carry out any projects in the Tebrau Straits even if it is on our side.
“I was involved in the (bridge) project from the start, and I know our position. When Singapore did not agree to a bridge, we decided to build a crooked one,” Dr Mahathir said after visiting the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here yesterday.
He added that the relocation of water pipes was not an issue as the cost would have to be borne by Singapore if they were given six months' notice.
“We should have referred the matter to ICJ, just like how we handled the Sipadan and Ligitan islands.”
In Kota Tinggi, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said there was no need to publicise the discussions on outstanding matters such as water price.
He said with this approach, negotiations and its solutions could be achieved in a rational manner.
Syed Hamid, who is Kota Tinggi MP, was speaking to reporters after a Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat at Felda Lok Heng Selatan yesterday.
He added that the Central Provident Fund (CPF) was also no longer an issue as in 1995 the Singapore government amended its laws to exempt foreigners from contributing to the CPF.
“I was told that only five Malaysians have savings in the CPF which is equivalent to our Employees Provident Fund,” he said. |
| posted by Nobody @ 6:17 PM |
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| 林吉祥：“半座彎橋”耗資11億 政府沒作撙節榜樣 |
星洲日报
（吉隆坡訊）國會反對黨領袖兼民主行動黨怡保東區國會議員林吉祥質問，為何納稅人必須為愚不可及、單方面耗資11億令吉興建的“美景半座彎橋”付帳？
他發表文告說，首相拿督斯里阿都拉週四推展撙節運動時，促國人撙節，應精打細算，只購買所需的東西。
他說，不幸的是，政府卻沒以身作則，沒“撙節開支”，也沒有完全致力於負責任、透明化、廉政及良好施政的原則，從2200億令吉的第9馬計劃，再加上內閣在前一天的週三終於決定終止興建的“美景半座彎橋”即可見一斑。
林吉祥說，政府應提呈一份完整、適當及透明的稽查帳目，以找出付給Gerbang Perdana的10億令吉賠償的責任，同時確定該公司是否應對這項計劃負起部份的責任。
行動黨由始至終都呼籲雙方聯合興建取代新柔長堤的新橋梁，因為耗資11億令吉的半座彎橋將會是馬新關係的羞恥“彎曲”及東盟精神“彎曲”永久性象徵。
“如果政府當時聽取行動黨的好意勸告，大馬今天就不必在將計劃半途腰斬，而必須付出10億令吉的賠償金及讓耗資12億令吉興建的關稅、移民及檢疫大廈淪為白象。” （星洲日報‧2006/04/15） |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:09 AM |
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| 凱里：慎思下取消 建大橋將損國家利益 |
星洲日报
（吉隆坡訊）首相女婿兼巫青副團長凱里賈馬魯丁認為，如果大馬落實單方決定的美景大橋計劃，不只會使到政府可能被迫將問題帶上國際仲裁庭，同時也會使國家利益受損和受制於新加坡。
他在《新海峽時報》週末論壇的專欄中指出，政府取消建美景大橋不只是俯順民意，更重要的是它是一項經過謹慎思考下的策略決定。
他說，興建灣橋是大馬單方面做的決定，由於這項單方決定涉及另一個國家，因此大馬無可避免必須面對另一個國家所做出的反應。
或帶到國際仲裁庭
他認為，雖然彎橋是建在大馬這一方，但是這項單方決定將極可能使到新加坡將問題帶到國際仲裁庭。
凱里表示，儘管外長已表示如果被帶到仲裁庭，大馬有很強的胜面，但是它將會造成工程被拖延，而萬一敗訴，則數以百萬令吉花在工程的費用將等於白費。
他說，這項單方決定也可能會製造出雙邊對峙的局面，因為切斷和重置從柔佛至新加坡的水管需要獲得後者的同意和批准。
“想像一下，建好橋但是卻得不到重新裝置水管的同意，這又是一個浪費金錢的做法。”
他指出，除了路和水管外，另一個課題是鐵路，因為鐵路與水管問題一樣，若要重新銜接需要新加坡的同意。
談判受制於新加坡
他說，如果我們無法在新鐵路銜接上取得新加坡同意，那麼大馬的火車就被迫停在新山。“這也可能會導致丹絨巴葛火車站被關閉，而在1990年我國與新加坡簽署的協議下，大馬可能因此而失去在新加坡的上述鐵路土地。”
他表示，為了興建直橋，新加坡可以向大馬開出索取“土地”和“天空”的條件，可以想像如果大馬建好彎橋後才發現到需要在裝置水管和鐵路的問題上取得她的同意，屆時她將會向大馬提出怎樣的要求。
他說，那時候，我們不能只賠償承包商後就了事，我們要付出的成本是巨大的，而且將使大馬在與新加坡的談判中受到束縛。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:04 AM |
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| 桩柱照用·长堤到关税大厦 6亿元改建高架桥 |
南洋商报
新山15日讯-已打桩供建美景桥的桥柱，将改为高架天桥桥柱；高架天桥的建筑费是6亿令吉。
新关税大厦承包商南方门户国际通道公司总经理黄锦仁说，高架天桥始于柔佛长堤，穿越将被拆除的旧关税大厦，通过丹绒布蒂里桥，直达新关税大厦。
“当我们获悉政府决定停建美景大桥，我们立即提出上述建议。不过，是否兴建高架天桥，胥视政府是否批准这项计划。”
黄锦仁说，高架天桥拥有6车道，或每边3车道，与目前的柔佛长堤车道一样，不过，它的建筑成本比兴建美景大桥低得多。
他表示，政府将决定是否兴建高架天桥，没有涉及已建竣95%的新关税大厦。
这两项计划是在南方门户国际通道的计划内，耗资22亿令吉，单是兴建高架天桥耗资6亿令吉。
他强调，新关税大厦将继续兴建，直到竣工为止。
他说，随着政府决定停建美景大桥，将由高架天桥取代，而且高架天桥将成为永久性的天桥。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:54 AM |
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| Saturday, April 15, 2006 |
| Scrapping the bridge the best solution |
TheStar
BY WONG CHUN WAI
IT WAS the best solution. Enough time and energy have been wasted by Malaysia and Singapore officials on the proposed RM1bil controversial bridge to replace the 82-year-old Causeway.
We have been talking about it since 1996, when the idea was mooted by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
A decade is a long time and after the endless rounds of negotiations it does make sense to call it off if both sides are heading nowhere.
Let’s be honest about it.
The idea to build the bridge sounded like a good idea, at first.
It was supposed to have helped to ease traffic congestion in Johor Baru, as well as improve water quality and reduce pollution in the Tebrau Straits.
A modern bridge that would allow ships to pass underneath, it seemed attractive and many Malaysians liked the idea, hoping it would bring more economic benefits to the state.
But too many demands have come into the picture, clouding the issue at hand.
Singapore has long wanted a decision on the bridge to be part of a package deal on unresolved bilateral issues.
In 2002, when the water issue was separated, Singapore called off talks on the bridge plan.
The following year, Malaysia announced that it would build its half of the bridge unilaterally.
Despite the posturing of some Malaysian politicians, it is unlikely that Malaysia could simply start to build a bridge through unilateral actions.
It would have invited serious legal implications.
We can expect Singapore to take the case to the International Court of Justice, and despite Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s optimism, not many legal experts share his views.
Threatening to go ahead with the construction could well be a negotiating tactic on our part to pressure Singapore but the facts were staring at our faces.
We are not sure whether our gung-ho politicians knew what they were talking about when they flexed their muscles, but Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is just being practical.
Bilateral negotiations to build the bridge, yes, but to proceed with unilateral action does not seem possible.
Building a bridge or demolishing the Causeway is a bilateral decision, it is that clear.
Whether the Malaysian part was called a “scenic” or “crooked” bridge, it would be built on half of the 900m Causeway.
Although it involves a mere 450m, the bridge had to be curved and extended more than thrice the distance, to 1.4km, so that heavy vehicles could cope with the maximum incline of 4.2 degrees.
Suddenly it wasn’t so attractive anymore from a political, scenic or engineering perspective.
Presumably, the negotiations had proceeded because Singapore was prepared to talk “if there was a balance of benefits for both sides.”
In the end, the benefits seemed to tilt heavily to the island republic. The conditions were just impossible to be met.
No Malaysian can accept the sale of sand to Singapore for a reclamation project for 20 years or to allow its jetfighters to use our air space as a trade off for it to agree to the proposal.
It is like asking Malaysia to give up its sovereignty.
There are sections of Malaysians who are angry at the decision to cancel the proposal, with some implying weaknesses on the leadership. But even if the Malaysian part of the bridge was built we would have the other half of the Causeway problem to deal with.
No one would be surprised if more demands were imposed by Singapore later.
What is the point of spending billions in taxpayers’ money only to end up with more problems?
Let’s not forget that there is still the RM2bil Second Link, which was opened with much fanfare in 1998.
Then Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said “the construction itself is testimony to the achievements that we can attain by putting our hearts and minds together.”
In the case of the bridge, there were obviously no hearts and no minds together.
It is unfortunate that Singapore has still not learned to be a good neighbour, continuing to be preoccupied with its uncompromising attitude on only gains. Sometimes you have to lose a bit to gain.
In the case of dealing with neighbours, one must sometimes be prepared to sacrifice more in the interest of the long run.
If Dr Mahathir had adopted an unfriendly attitude towards Singapore, Abdullah took a different approach.
He was determined to mend ties, but Singapore has not seized the opportunity.
The bridge issue should also serve as a lesson to our politicians. They should think before they speak.
Clashing statements, indecisiveness, back-pedalling and constant change of policies does not help our image as a serious, efficient country.
The public should not be left confused or even caught unprepared on major issues affecting the nation.
Building a bridge between two countries is not as straight-forward as it looks.
Singapore can talk about the environmental impact of the proposed bridge but extracting a huge amount of sand can also be environmentally disastrous to Johor. |
| posted by Nobody @ 12:00 PM |
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| Friday, April 14, 2006 |
| 马可能建汽车高架桥 衔接海关大厦和新柔长堤 |
联合早报
（新山讯）为避免 耗资逾12亿令吉兴建的柔佛州新海关、移民和检疫大厦沦为“白象”， 马来西亚公共工程部建议另建汽车高架桥取代美景大桥，把海关大厦衔接至新柔长堤。
不同的是，这座汽车高架桥将建在新山境内的陆地上，未有跨入柔佛海峡范围。
马来西亚工程部属下南方门户有限公司建筑总监黄锦仁，昨日在工地办事处受访时披露了这项取代美景大桥的建议。
据《星洲日报》报道，他说，曾经一度停工并在今年1月18日受指示复工的美景大桥经完工10%，且大部分打桩工程已经完成，所以建议中的汽车高架桥仍可以继续使用已打好的桥基，以兴建一个完善的道路系统来衔接新关卡和新柔长堤之间。
他表示，新建议的高架桥肯定没有美景大桥宏伟，但它的工程费却远比美景大桥低，此外还可以保留历史悠久的新柔长堤，百年来就附设在新柔长堤旁的水管和铁道也不必移动，所以肯定可以省下一大笔钱。
他也披露，原本预计斥资11亿令吉兴建的美景大桥，曾在2004年2月5日被令停工，当时，大桥的工程已经完成了10%，其中包括在新柔长堤旁、离开马新边界约30公尺的的桥墩，打桩工程和海底土质探测工程等，约已耗去1亿令吉。
其中，上述耗资1450万令吉的桥墩早在2003年便动工兴建，并于2004年初建竣。
黄锦仁在受访时也透露，美景大桥首度被令停工时，政府便耗资5000万指示该公司兴建一条临时道路衔接新海关大厦和长堤之间，作为美景大桥落实以前的短期通道。
这条临时道路预计在今年11月间完工，但它并非长远的交通系统。
至于这条临时道路和建议中汽车高架桥的连接问题，有关部门将会尽速完成规划。
建议中的汽车高架桥将跨过目前新山关卡的范围（丹绒布蒂里桥），并直接连接至长堤，全长约700公尺，比原本全长1.1公里的美景大桥要来得短些。
黄锦仁表示，政府决定不建美景大桥，兴建这座汽车高架天桥是势在必行，以确保已95%完工的新海关大厦如期启用。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:08 AM |
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| Johor's new CIQ complex to replace current congested building |
TheStar
KUALA LUMPUR: The almost completed Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor will not be a white elephant but will be put to good use, said the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the present complex was already congested and the new CIQ complex in Bukit Chagar could help ease congestion as it would be bigger.
He said much of the congestion experienced on the Malaysian side of the Causeway was because the existing CIQ could not deal with the large number of travellers daily.
“When the road to the new CIQ is completed, we expect the congestion to ease,” he added. The new RM1.1bil CIQ complex is expected to be fully operational next January.
In a related development, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu proposed that a six-lane flyover be constructed to link the new complex.
Samy Vellu said he would propose that the flyover be built instead of a permanent ground-level road so as to minimise disruption in Johor Baru.
He said the proposed flyover would eventually replace the RM30mil ground-level temporary road being built to link the CIQ complex to the Causeway.
“We do not want to split Johor Baru city into two. A road will require many existing roads in the city centre to be sealed off,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet announced that it was abandoning plans to build a “scenic bridge” to replace the Causeway.
On what legal implications prompted the Government to change its mind about building the bridge, Abdullah said the Government had to abide by all kinds of laws that were in place when it came to dealing with trains, pipes and even the Causeway.
“We have to follow the existing treaties. There might be problems if we do not,” he said.
Abdullah added that negotiations with Singapore on other matters would continue and that future negotiations did not hinge on the building of the bridge.
He refused to comment on whether there would be future plans to revive the bridge project.
Singapore had asked for rights to buy sand and to use Johor airspace in exchange for its agreement for a straight bridge, and said that it would oppose any unilateral decision by Malaysia on the bridge.
On compensation to Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, the contractor of the bridge project, Samy Vellu said the Attorney-General had been asked to look into whether compensation was due to the firm and what amount should be paid. |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:55 AM |
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| 不建大桥 马哈迪表示失望 |
联合早报
（吉隆坡综合电）马来西亚前首相马哈迪认为，马来西亚不应该在邻国的压力下让步，取消美景大桥计划。他对此表示失望。
马哈迪在回教理解研究院论坛演讲后，在记者会上回答记者提问时说，“那时候，我们即将动工，但我退休了。若是我没离开，大桥工程两年半前便展开了。”
但马哈迪指出，终止大桥的建造计划并不会带来法律问题，即使有法律后果，若能面对便能化解问题。
对于首相阿都拉宣布这一决定，他以挖苦的语气说：“我们必须照顾（新加坡）人民的心。我们必须对他们非常友善。”
马哈迪说，政府停建美景大桥并没有使他感到震惊，因为政府在人民的反对下，曾多次收回决定。他说：“譬如提高过路费受人民反对时，政府便收回成命，如果知道人民反对，政府只好俯顺民意。”
马哈迪说，领袖必须领导群众和听取群众的意愿，而不是受群众所左右。他说，如果领袖受群众左右，而不能超群出众，那只能随波逐流。
他指出，领袖须咨询群众意见，并做出果敢决定；如果迟迟不能有所决定，可能会面对领导危机。
阿都拉和马哈迪昨天是先后在回教理解研究院论坛上演讲。两人后来碰面时交谈了一阵子，阿都拉接着赶往吉隆坡世贸中心出席“精明消费运动”，没有同记者谈话，马哈迪在演讲后，在记者的追问下，就美景大桥课题侃侃而谈。
阿都拉后来在为精明消费运动及《2005年商业及消费报告》主持推介仪式后，在新闻发布会上强调，建桥课题不是马新两国唯一谈判的课题，马国将继续同新加坡谈判两国之间其他悬而未决的课题。
阿都拉说：“任何没有涉及建桥的课题，我们都会谈判，并在共同协商后，找出解决方案。”
不过，当记者问他新马两国是否会在未来继续谈判建桥一事时，阿都拉没有正面答覆，只说：“我不想谈以后的问题。”他指出，“新的局面须依据当时的情况而定。”
他说，新马两国之间的关系是互动的，肯定不时会有必须重新考量的新需求。他说，政府认为停止建桥的决定是最好的决定，这也是政府长期以来一直要解决的问题。
阿都拉表示，由于考虑到继续兴建美景大桥可能产生的法律后果，因此政府认为，以更完善的新检疫大厦设备来解决新柔长堤一带的交通阻塞问题是更好的办法。
记者问他所指的法律后果是什么时，他说：“任何与改变输水管、火车轨道、拆除沿岸地方设施有关的工程，我们都必须遵守现有的条规。”
他也再次保证，新检疫大厦不会因为政府停建美景大桥而成为白象计划，它将会提供更舒适及宽大的环境。
据马来西亚工程部长三美威鲁说，马国政府将会建造一座有六条车道的汽车高架桥把新检疫大厦同长堤衔接起来。
另一方面，马来西亚外长赛哈密在国会走廊举行的新闻发布会上强调，政府当初单方面进行美景大桥工程，并不是被法律顾问误导或面对压力。
马来西亚政治学者拉马三米指出：“新马两地好些人都看到这一桥梁工程的无益之处，我想马方终于想通了。”
反对党人民公正党说，大桥工程取消让政府上了代价高昂的一课，知道它不能进行“轻率的商业冒险”。
该党认为，美景大桥由始至终都是错误的开始，导致外交上的失败，劳民伤财且损名誉。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:43 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 |
| Malaysia scraps 'scenic bridge' with Singapore, suspends talks on air space, sand supply |
AsiaOne
By VIJAY JOSHI
Associated Press Writer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia on Wednesday scrapped a contentious plan to build a "scenic bridge" to Singapore, and refused to negotiate with the city-state over its demands for sand and access to military air space.
The surprise decision - announced to media before being conveyed officially to Singapore - is certain to hurt bilateral relations, already strained after years of wrangling over these three issues and a host of other irritants.
"It's a political decision," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters. "We decided. Singapore didn't even know. We are not pressured by anybody. We think of what our people want," he said.
The planned bridge to connect Malaysia's southern state of Johor with Singapore was to have replaced an existing 1.06-kilometer (0.66-mile) causeway currently used by more than 100,000 people every day. It was dubbed the "scenic bridge" for the curving design envisaged by Malaysian planners.
Singapore has opposed the bridge from the start, but said recently it would negotiate its construction if Malaysia agreed to supply the island nation with sand and give it access to Malaysian air space. Singapore needs the sand for land reclamation projects and its military planes are constrained by the country's small size.
Malaysian officials said such bargaining was unacceptable.
"The Malaysian government has decided not to continue with the construction of the bridge to replace the Johor causeway," Abdullah said in a brief statement earlier. The government "has also decided to halt all negotiations relating to the bridge," it said.
The decision to scrap the bridge was "made after taking into account the voice and sentiments of the Malaysian public, especially relating to the supply of sand and use of air space," it said.
Asked at the news conference to confirm that this means Malaysia will not negotiate on either matter, Abdullah nodded and said: "No more."
He added that the causeway will remain the only road link between the two countries.
"No one loses anything," he said, adding that relations with Singapore remain unchanged. Ties do not hinge on a single issue such as the bridge, he said.
Singapore's reaction was one of shock.
"We are surprised at this sudden decision when negotiations for a full bridge were still ongoing," an unidentified Singapore Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a one-line statement.
The two countries also disagree over the price of water that Malaysia provides to Singapore. Malaysia has previously promised it will not cut off water supplies.
Abdullah appeared to confirm that. He said Malaysia will continue to discuss other outstanding issues, but refused to elaborate.
Malaysia had maintained that the bridge would ease congestion and provide environmental benefits. Singapore initially said its economic viability had not been ascertained.
Ignoring Singapore's objections, Malaysia began work on the bridge earlier this year, saying it would extend the structure halfway across the waterway and let Singapore build its half whenever it wants.
Works Minister Samy Vellu said Wednesday he would order construction work to be stopped immediately.
Malaysia was apparently irked by remarks earlier this month by Singapore's Second Foreign Minister Raymond Lim, who told Parliament that Malaysia's unilateral attempt to build the half-bridge was unacceptable.
Most people using the causeway are Malaysians who commute to Singapore for work, and Singaporean residents who come to Malaysia for cheap shopping. |
| posted by Nobody @ 9:33 PM |
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| 何时再与新展开大桥谈判? 赛哈密：正等待政府指示 |
联合早报
（吉隆坡讯）马来西亚外交部长赛哈密昨日说，有关方面正等待政府的指示，以决定何时继续与新加坡展开美景大桥（弯桥）另一阶段的谈判。不过，他认为，政府在短期内不会有所定夺。
他说，马新两国完成了委员会阶段的谈判，目前正等待政府决定另一阶段的谈判日期，由于现在还有一些课题有待研究，两国只有在这些课题上取得共识后才重返谈判桌。
《星洲日报》报道，赛哈密在国会走廊召开新闻发布会时说，政府无意终止两国之间的谈判，也不阻止两国针对某些课题取得共识，政府在谈判时关心的是马国的利益，并会为人民争取最好的。
他说，在首相阿都拉的领导下，马来西亚和新加坡建立了亲切的关系，马国不要看到这种关系被破坏，他相信两国在各阶层所建立起来的良好关系不会被某些课题破坏。
“两国之间应有良好互动，虽然有时报章会出现一些让人不悦的报道，如罪案频频发生，但可以肯定的是，新加坡人仍乐意前来马国游玩、购物，这证明了他们对马来西亚的治安有信心。” |
| posted by Nobody @ 3:28 AM |
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| About Me |
Name: Nobody
Home: Vietnam
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