MFA Spokesman's Comments: New Straits Times Article "It's On - Work Begins Next Week, 'Crooked Bridge' Is Now The 'Scenic Bridge'" Dated 26 January 2006

MFA SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS

NEW STRAITS TIMES ARTICLE "IT'S ON - WORK BEGINS NEXT WEEK, 'CROOKED BRIDGE' IS NOW THE 'SCENIC BRIDGE'" DATED 26 JANUARY 2006

In response to media queries on the above, the MFA Spokesman said:

"In its article It's on - Work begins next week, 'Crooked Bridge' is now the 'Scenic Bridge' dated 26 January 2006, the New Straits Times (NST) reported that Malaysia would be going ahead with plans to build a bridge across its half of the Johor Straits, without demolishing the Causeway. NST's sources said the Malaysian Government had decided not to wait for Singapore's decision on the matter.

Singapore is puzzled by the NST report. There is an ongoing process in place, agreed to by Singapore and Malaysia, to discuss the bridge and other bilateral issues. We are therefore surprised by the NST report that Malaysia has decided to go ahead with the "scenic bridge" even before the discussions have been concluded.

Singapore will seek clarification from the Malaysian authorities on this matter."

. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
26 JANUARY 2006