Historical baggage and emotion have hampered negotiations between Malaysia and Singapore over a new bridge to link the neighbours, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar reportedly said.

Malaysia has decided to go ahead with the construction of its half of the bridge despite failing to reach agreement with Singapore, in a protracted squabble which the two sides are still trying to resolve.

"It is admitted that this issue, in a different context would be looked at as easy to resolve, but because of the historical baggage it makes it more complex and complicated," Syed Hamid told the state Bernama news agency late yesterday.

"And when there is so much emotion thrown in statements, whether from Singapore or Malaysia, then it is made more difficult," he said.

Syed Hamid said lawmakers from both countries were responsible for jeopardising the process.

"The negotiations involve sensitivity and emotions, sometimes you see we are very close (to reaching a solution) but yet we are so far way," he said.

"Even the word spoken or question asked or the responses made, can be interpreted in many ways," he added.

Outstanding disputes

The two countries have rowed for years over a variety of issues, but while most have been laid to rest, the issue of the bridge, which would replace an ageing colonial-era causeway, remains a thorny topic.

Other outstanding disputes include the price of water - which Malaysia supplies to resource-scarce Singapore; military access to Malaysian airspace; the future of Malaysian-owned railway land inside Singapore and rival claims to a rocky islet.

Since Singapore was ejected from the Malaysian federation in August 1965, relations have periodically been rocked by disputes.

However, in the past couple of years since the departure of veteran leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad the mood had grown warmer, with more frequent high-level exchanges and cross-border investment growing.