JOHOR BAHARU, May 29 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is adamant that the scenic bridge project which was proposed to replace the causeway connecting Malaysia and Singapore should be pursued.

The former prime minister said it would help ease traffic congestion between Johor Baharu and the island.

“Yes,” was his brief answer when asked by reporters whether he felt the project, which was cancelled when his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was prime minister, should be continued.

Earlier, he had attended a leadership talk and the launch of the MAYC Veterans Club here today. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and the club’s president, Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.

Besides easing traffic congestion between Johor Baharu and Singapore, the bridge would also facilitate the free flow of water in the Terbau Strait in addition to allowing ships heading to East Asia to bypass Singapore.

On political matters, Dr Mahathir (picture) was convinced that the Barisan Nasional still has time to win back the support from the Chinese community before the next general election, which must be called at the latest by 2013.

“If the community feels it is treated fairly, I think they will return to support the BN,” he said.

Support for BN from the community dropped in the 2008 general election and in the last two by-elections, Hulu Selangor in April and Sibu earlier this month.

On the proposed subsidy cuts by the government, Dr Mahathir said: “I think we must accept that the prices are going up and we cannot always expect when we buy, prices will stay at the same level.”

However, he cautioned that the cuts should be done gradually so as not to burden the people. — Bernama