Singapore's stand to link negotiations with Malaysia to replace the Johor Causeway with a bridge to the use of Malaysian air space for training by the republic's air force planes and the sale of sand for reclamation works on the island have been rejected by several politicians in Johor.

They described the conditions set by Singapore as strange and extraordinary, and irrelevant to the bridge issue.

The first protest came from Johor Umno Youth chief Razali Ibrahim who urged the government to be firm and not give in to the Singaporean requests.

"The requests to allow Singapore's jetfighters to use our air space and to sell sand to them are extraordinary, and completely against the spirit of neighbourliness," he told Bernama.

Razali, who is also the MP for Muar, said this in response to remarks by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar yesterday that the republic had set conditions for its agreement to join Malaysia in building the proposed bridge over the Tebrau Strait.

Malaysia has said the 80-year-old Causeway needed to be replaced as it could no longer cope with the amount of traffic while a bridge would also allow the passage of vessels and free flow of water to improve the coastal environment.

Razali said Malaysia should go ahead with building a "half-bridge" on its side of the strait without further delay.

"There is no compromise on the use of our air space or the sale of sand which ultimately would be detrimental to Malaysia's interest," he said.

No connection

Meanwhile, Johor Bahru Umno Youth head Khaled Mohamad said Singapore's requests had no connection with the construction of the bridge.

"The bridge is to benefit people of both countries by allowing smoother traffic flow but Singapore not only declines to cooperate but also laid down very strange conditions," he said.

Puteri Wangsa State Assemblyman Halim Sulaiman said the use of Malaysian air space by Singapore's jetfighters would be a violation of Malaysia's sovereignty and a threat to its security.

He said the planes could be used to gather intelligence on Malaysia although the initial objective might be training. "This is very risky and could endanger our national security," he added.