KUALA LUMPUR: Construction of the bridge to replace the Johor Causeway is proceeding on schedule although talks between Malaysia and Singapore are continuing, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday. "There is no postponement. Construction of the bridge is proceeding," the Deputy Prime Minister said. He was replying questions from reporters who asked if construction would be delayed as talks on whether the bridge would be straight or "scenic" had yet to be concluded. He said the issue of the bridge was not discussed at last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. Najib was speaking after a round of golf at the Mines Resort and Golf Club to raise funds for the North Pole Expedition of Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was recently quoted as saying that talks with Singapore were "positive" and that both parties had agreed on certain key aspects.Singapore has requested Malaysia to allow its military jets to use Malaysian airspace for training, and also wants to buy sand from across the Causeway for its land reclamation projects, in return for an agreement on the bridge. There was strong opposition to the proposals from several quarters in Malaysia.Syed Hamid, however, gave an assurance that Malaysia would not compromise its integrity and sovereignty.Work on the "scenic" bridge on the Malaysian side, costing RM620 million, is expected to be completed in 36 months.
He said the issue of the bridge
was not discussed at last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.