CONGESTION AT CIQ COMPLEX NOT DUE TO ABSENCE OF CROOKED BRIDGE - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The congestion at the Customs,
Immigration
and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Bukit Chagar, Johor Baharu is not due to the
absence of the crooked bridge after the project was cancelled.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad who
said this, attributed the congestion to the haphazard entry and exit at the
complex since the first day it was opened to the public.

"I feel the impact of its opening should have been envisaged and better
preparations made to deal with the possibilities.

"If we don't plan carefully and think that a walk-through or simulation is
enough, problems may crop up and that's what has happened at the CIQ complex,"
Shahrir who is also the southern city of Johor Baharu MP, said after the
presentation of awards to fair-price shops, here, Thursday.

He said if there was a need for a bridge in the area, it should be a
straight bridge and should be seen as benefiting both Malaysia and
Singapore.

Shahrir said he did not want to see a bridge project resulting in
unreasonable demands or used as a bargaining tool between Singapore and
Malaysia.

"The crooked bridge project was cancelled due to various demands made by
Singapore, including the use of Malaysian airspace by Singapore's air force and
for Malaysia to supply sand to the island republic," he said.

Shahrir said he preferred the building of a bridge that could connect and
forge closer relations between two neighbouring countries.
-- BERNAMA