Daim: Singapore may be stalling for time on water spat

Daim Zainuddin believes that Singapore may be stalling for time in its water dispute with Malaysia, as the island republic moves towards self-sufficiency in water supplies.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the special advisor to the Malaysian government cited the bilateral 1962 Water Agreement, which expires in 2061.

"The 1962 agreement expires in 2061. We believe by then Singapore would be self-sufficient as far as water demands are concerned and would no longer need to purchase raw water from Malaysia.

"So maybe Singapore is trying to stretch the dispute till such a time when it can tear up the agreement without any loss," he was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had previously said that Malaysia is selling water to Singapore at too low a price, and said it would be reviewed.

The 1962 agreement states that Singapore may draw 250 million gallons of raw water from Sungai Johor daily at three sen per 1,000 gallons. In return, Johor is entitled to receive a daily supply of up to five million gallons of treated water, or two percent of the water supplied to Singapore, at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons.

The attorney-generals of both nations are currently discussing the issue.

To Daim, Singapore's willingness to come to the negotiation table to hold talks on the issue marks a "major development" in the warming of ties after a diplomatic spat last year.

The spat involved the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures at Singapore's Seletar Airport, Restricted Area (RA) over Pasir Gudang, and overlapping maritime boundaries.

During a recent visit to Singapore, Daim recalled telling some leaders he had met there: "In the end I said, we are neighbours. We can’t change our geographic location. We have to be together, and we are intertwined. There is nothing we can do but sit down and discuss so that both can benefit.”

On the negotiations, Daim believes that Malaysia has some "good legal grounds" in its favour on the matter.

-Mkini