JOHOR BARU: Johor "accepts entirely" the Government’s decision to scrap the bridge project to replace the Causeway. Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the Government had the prerogative to decide on the fate of the bridge as it was a Federal project. "This is a Federal project. We will wait for further instructions from Putrajaya," he said after the weekly State Executive Council meeting here yesterday.Ghani believed the Prime Minister made the decision after considering reaction on the ground, especially in Johor.Umno Johor had objected to Malaysia giving sand and opening air space in Johor to Singapore fighter jets as a trade-off for the republic’s participation in the bridge project. "We accept and appreciate the Government’s decision. I believe they took into consideration the sentiments on the ground, especially in Johor, as many are not happy with Singapore’s demand of sand and air space," he said.Asked how the decision not to proceed with the bridge construction will affect the nearly completed RM700 million Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, he replied: "We will make the necessary adjustments in road alignments to the CIQ complex to ensure it is fully used." He said the temporary roads linking the complex to the Causeway would be adjusted to become a permanent access.
Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani
Othman said the Government had the prerogative to decide on the fate of the
bridge as it was a Federal project.