Very Costly Mistakes

Finally good sense has prevailed and we are back to square one. In a way the “crooked bridge” project falls into the same mould as the MV Augusta investment. Important decisions were made without a proper thinking true and through process.

Both projects have cost the nation dearly and have made us look like international fools in the process.

The government is “listening” to the people, the reason is given. Maybe the government is not aware of the Bar Council’s petition on improving the police force. They are not even listening to their own Royal Commission for the setting up of the IPCMC. It is a diplomatic about face and sounds better than trying to dismantle those huge water pipes.

The project owner is being given RM100m compensation and so the question is how was the compensation decided? Was it the expected profit for the cynical bridge?

I am doubtful that selling sand was such a trap. Can you guess how many favoured cronies are lining up to get a licence to do just that to Singapore? After all, the government can collect taxes for every tonne of sand exported.

I have already written earlier about how the use of limited air space can provide some funds for special development of the affected villages. These villagers should have been consulted on the benefits package they needed and not left to power hungry politicians to exploit.

In today’s news, there are plans in Singapore to investigate the former NKF board for abuse and mismanagement. Even if the crooked bridge and MV Augusta are government projects, taxpayers should ask that the government investigate its officials for criminal negligence.

As for those two tilted pipes we should paint them in epoxy white and label them MV Augusta and Crooked Bridge. But Singapore may object as they look like giant cannons aiming at the republic.

Photo: The Star