Malaysia approves bridge project

Malaysia approves bridge project

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian government has approved the construction of a bridge to replace a 74-year-old causeway linking its southern Johore state to Singapore, reports said here yesterday.

The approval for the project was made public after both sides resolved a diplomatic spat triggered by Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's portrayal of Johore as crime-ridden. Malaysia has accepted an apology from Lee.

Malaysian Works Minister Samy Vellu Sanglimuthu said the cabinet had awarded the project to a consortium and work was expected to begin next year. He did not name the consortium or cite the project value.

The project was mooted last July by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who said a bridge would ease congestion on the 1.2 kilometer causeway, used by some 100,000 commuters daily.