Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has signalled that he is not prepared for a ceasefire with his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad by reviving the disputed half-bridge project.

The premier was commenting on Mahathir's stand that if the government builds the bridge he would stop his scathing criticisms against the current leadership.

"Never mind, he can say anything he wants. I am the prime minister. I have a job to do. I decide what is best for the people," Abdullah was quoted as saying in news reports today.

The premier also revealed that he told Johor Umno leaders at a closed-door meeting yesterday to put the bridge issue behind them and move forward.

It's blackmail

Mahathir had also come under attack from various leaders, including his most vocal critic, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Nazri said Mahathir's statement that he would stop criticising the government if it builds the half-bridge amounted to blackmail.

"This is blackmail. We can't just reverse the decision just like that. Before we made whatever decision, we had given much thought to it and took the interest of the people into consideration.

"How can we change the decision because of one person?" asked the minister, who had previously challenged Mahathir to resign 'if he was man enough'.

Nazri, whose comments were given prominent coverage in the New Straits Times, also targetted Mahathir's son, Umno Youth exco member Mukhriz.

The de facto law minister was commenting on Mukhriz's call not to raise issues concerning his father at the coming Umno general assembly.

Nazri said he and Umno politicians have a right to reply if the former premier continues his criticisims against the government.

Unfair and impossible

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak called on Mahathir to furnish proof of Malaysia's offer to sell sand to Singapore.

He said despite whatever claim made by the former premier, the government was still firm on its stand that the offer was made by Singapore.

Kedah Menteri Besar Mahdzir Khalid described Mahathir's call as unfair while Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob (photo) called it an impossible proposition.

Quoting a Malay proverb, Adnan said expecting the government to reverse the decision would be like menunggu kucing bertanduk (waiting for a cat to grow horns).

Energy, Water and Communication Minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik asked how could the government reverse its decision because of one man?