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PUTRAJAYA: The price of water being sold to Singapore is "ridiculous", and Malaysia will make a presentation to its neighbour on renegotiating the terms of the water supply deal, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday (Jun 25).

"I think it is manifestly ridiculous that we should sell water at 3 sen per thousand gallons. That was okay way back in the 1990s or 1930s. But now what can you buy with 3 sen? Nothing," the 92-year-old told Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview.



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Earlier, Bloomberg had reported that Dr Mahathir intended to go back to the drawing board on the water accord, which is set to expire in 2061.



"We are studying the case properly and we’ll make a presentation," he told Channel NewsAsia.



The revival of the water issue comes on the back of Dr Mahathir's decision to scrap the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project agreed upon by the previous Najib Razak administration.

Dr Mahathir had cited a need to reduce the country's debt and liabilities exceeding RM1 trillion (US$251 billion) as the reason for scrapping the deal. Singapore has, however, stated that it has not been informed of Malaysia's intent.

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At the interview, Dr Mahathir was asked about his foreign policy decisions, and he conceded that Malaysia had yet to inform Singapore about its intentions on both issues.

"Sometimes we make public statements without actually finalising the process," he said. "When we want to make a decision we don't wait until we inform Singapore, we just say something. Of course they would want to know, and we will inform them in time."



Asked if there is any timeframe on when he's planning to inform Singapore, he said: "It's not so urgent."

Dr Mahathir repeated this during a press conference on Monday evening, when he was asked again if he would be speaking to Singapore on renegotiating the water deal.

"It's not urgent," he reiterated. "We have many other problems that we have to focus on".

At the same conference, he also confirmed that the water issue had not been discussed in Cabinet before he made his comments, but that he was "pressed to announce" the issue after being "asked by the press".



Earlier, Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister said any bilateral problems that may arise from these choices could be resolved.

"I think whether we like it or not, Singapore is our closest neighbour and we have a common history. Whether we like it or not, we have to live with each other," he said.

"There will be little problems, conflicts and all that, (but) we'll resolve them."

WATER AGREEMENT "SACROSANCT" TO SINGAPORE

In a response to Dr Mahathir's comments later on Monday, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said both Malaysia and Singapore must "comply fully" with the provisions of the 1962 Water Agreement and the 1965 Separation Agreement.



"The 1962 Water Agreement is a fundamental agreement that was guaranteed by both governments in the 1965 Separation Agreement which was registered with the UN," a spokesperson said in a statement.



Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak in January had reaffirmed the importance of undertaking measures to ensure the reliable and adequate water supply from the Johore River as provided for in the 1962 Water Agreement.

In a joint statement issued after a Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, both countries also affirmed the terms of the agreement, under which Singapore is given full and exclusive rights to draw up to a maximum of 250 million gallons (mgd) of water per day from the Johore River.



In return, Johor is entitled to buy treated water of the same volume as up to 2 per cent of the water extracted by Singapore on any given day, or about 5 mgd if Singapore draws its full entitlement of water from the Johor River.



In February this year, then-Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing said Singapore must ensure that it has an adequate supply of water by the 2050s, before the water agreement with Malaysia expires in 2061.



Under national water agency PUB’s masterplan, NEWater and desalination will meet 85 per cent of Singapore’s water demand by 2060. That is also when the total water demand is expected to double.

In a written Parliamentary reply to Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC Seah Kian Peng in January 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said the 1962 Water Agreement was "sacrosanct" to Singapore.



"It was guaranteed by both the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore under the 1965 Separation Agreement, which was deposited with the United Nations," he said.



In March 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore must be psychologically prepared to face water shortages if its reservoirs dry up and when the second water agreement with Malaysia ends in 2061.



At present, imported water meets half of Singapore’s water needs. But water levels in Johor’s Linggiu Reservoir are falling. There is also the danger of prolonged dry weather, Mr Teo said at the time.

To watch the full interview, tune in to Conversation With on Thursday (Jun 28) at 9.30pm (SIN/HK).



The water issue: What's at stake and how did we get here? Explore historical footage and documents in our interactive special: http://cna.asia/water

</s>SINGAPORE: Both Malaysia and Singapore must "comply fully" with the provisions of the 1962 Water Agreement and the 1965 Separation Agreement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Monday (Jun 25).

This was in response to media queries on Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's comments that Malaysia would make a presentation to Singapore on renegotiating the terms of the water supply deal between the two.

Said the spokesperson: "The 1962 Water Agreement is a fundamental agreement that was guaranteed by both governments in the 1965 Separation Agreement which was registered with the UN.

"Both sides must comply fully with all the provisions of these agreements."

The Malaysian prime minister on Monday told Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview that the price of water being sold to Singapore was "ridiculous".

"We are studying the case properly and we’ll make a presentation," he told Channel NewsAsia.

Bloomberg had earlier reported that Dr Mahathir intended to go back to the drawing board on the water accord, which is set to expire in 2061.



Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak in January had reaffirmed the importance of undertaking measures to ensure the reliable and adequate water supply from the Johore River as provided for in the 1962 Water Agreement.



Both countries also affirmed the terms of the agreement, under which Singapore is given full and exclusive rights to draw up to a maximum of 250 million gallons (mgd) of water per day from the Johore River.



In return, Johor is entitled to buy treated water of the same volume as up to 2 per cent of the water extracted by Singapore on any given day, or about 5 mgd if Singapore draws its full entitlement of water from the Johore River.</s>Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday he wants to renegotiate a "ridiculous" water supply agreement with Singapore, the latest sign of fraying ties between the neighbours since last month's shock election.

The 92-year-old returned for a second time as premier after his opposition alliance scored an unexpected victory at the polls, toppling a long-ruling coalition that Mahathir himself once headed.

During his first stint in charge of the country from 1981-2003, Malaysia had famously stormy ties with Singapore - and Mahathir has wasted no time in taking aim at the tiny city-state again.

In his latest salvo, he said it was "manifestly ridiculous" that Kuala Lumpur sells water for three Malaysian cents (less than one US cent) per thousand gallons to its resource-poor neighbour.

"That was okay way back in the 1990s or 1930s. But now what can you buy with three sen (cents)? Nothing," he told Singapore broadcaster Channel NewsAsia in an interview.

Asked about plans to renegotiate the long-standing water supply agreement, he said: "We are studying the case properly and we'll make a presentation." The Singapore government did not immediately respond to requests to comment.

A large amount of Singapore's water comes from Malaysia's southern state of Johor. Under a 1962 agreement, Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons of water per day from the Johor River.

The neighbours have had a difficult relationship since Singapore was expelled from the Malaysian Federation in 1965 over ethnic issues after a short-lived, stormy union.

Relations in subsequent decades were punctuated by occasional bickering, on many occasions over the water supply issue, but were largely warm under the last Malaysian government, led by scandal-mired Najib Razak.

However ties already look rocky since Mahathir's return to office.

In just a few weeks, he has put a planned high-speed rail line linking Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on hold, and announced that Malaysia wants to develop an island on rocks at the entrance to the Singapore Strait, an area of great strategic importance to the city-state.</s>KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday he wants to renegotiate a “ridiculous” water supply agreement with Singapore, the latest sign of fraying ties between the neighbours since last month’s shock election.

 The 92-year-old returned for a second time as premier after his opposition alliance scored an unexpected victory at the polls, toppling a long-ruling coalition which Mahathir himself had once headed.

 During his first spell in charge of the country from 1981-2003, Malaysia had famously prickly ties with Singapore — and Mahathir has wasted no time in taking aim at the tiny city-state again.

 In his latest salvo, he said it was “manifestly ridiculous” that Kuala Lumpur sells water for three Malaysian cents (less than one US cent) per thousand gallons to its resource-poor neighbour, under a decades-old agreement.

 “That was okay way back in the 1990s or 1930s. But now what can you buy with three sen (cents)? Nothing,” he told Singapore broadcaster Channel NewsAsia in an interview.

 Asked about plans to renegotiate the water supply agreement, he said: “We are studying the case properly and we’ll make a presentation.”

 Much of Singapore’s water comes from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor. Under a 1962 agreement, Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons of water per day from the Johor River.

 Singapore’s foreign ministry said in a statement the water deal was “guaranteed by both governments” as part of an agreement which underpinned their division into separate states in 1965.

 “Both sides must comply fully with all the provisions of these agreements,” it said.

 The neighbours were part of the same country for two years from 1963 but it was a stormy union, and Singapore was expelled from the Malaysian Federation as tensions mounted over ethnic issues.

 Relations in subsequent decades were punctuated by occasional bickering, on many occasions over the water supply issue. But they were largely warm under the previous Malaysian government, led by scandal-mired Najib Razak.

 However ties already look rocky since Mahathir’s return to office.

 In just a few weeks, he has put a planned high-speed railway linking Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on hold, and announced that Malaysia wants to develop an island on rocks at the entrance to the Singapore Strait, an area of great strategic importance to the city-state. — AFP</s>KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Monday he wants to renegotiate a “ridiculous” water supply agreement with Singapore, the latest sign of fraying ties between the neighbours since last month’s shock election.

The 92-year-old returned for a second time as premier after his opposition alliance scored an unexpected victory at the polls, toppling a long-ruling coalition which Mahathir himself had once headed.

During his first spell in charge of the country from 1981-2003, Malaysia had famously prickly ties with Singapore — and Mahathir has wasted no time in taking aim at the tiny city-state again.

In his latest salvo, he said it was “manifestly ridiculous” that Kuala Lumpur sells water for three Malaysian cents (less than one US cent) per thousand gallons to its resource-poor neighbour, under a decades-old agreement. “That was okay way back in the 1990s or 1930s.

But now what can you buy with three sen (cents)? Nothing,” he told Singapore broadcaster Channel NewsAsia in an interview. Asked about plans to renegotiate the water supply agreement, he said: “We are studying the case properly and we’ll make a presentation.” Much of Singapore’s water comes from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor. Under a 1962 agreement, Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons of water per day from the Johor River.

Singapore’s foreign ministry said in a statement the water deal was “guaranteed by both governments” as part of an agreement which underpinned their division into separate states in 1965.</s>Dr Mahathir Mohamad (above) has questioned Malaysia's water agreement with Singapore, which is carried through pipes along the Causeway.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned Malaysia's water agreement with Singapore, which is carried through pipes along the Causeway (above).

Singapore has reiterated that both Malaysia and the Republic have to adhere fully to the 1962 water agreement, after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday criticised the price of raw water sold to Singapore as "ridiculous" and said he planned to renegotiate the pact's terms.

In a statement yesterday, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said the 1962 treaty was guaranteed by both governments in the Separation Agreement, which was registered with the United Nations when Singapore broke away from Malaysia in 1965.

"Both sides must comply fully with all the provisions of these agreements," the spokesman said.

In separate interviews with Channel NewsAsia (CNA) and Bloomberg Television, Dr Mahathir revived the water price issue, which was a recurring source of tension between the two countries especially during the later half of his previous term as prime minister between 1981 and 2003.

He told CNA that the price - 3 sen per thousand gallons - is "ridiculous", and that Malaysia will approach Singapore on renegotiating the terms of the deal.

Asked if he will talk to Singapore about going back to the drawing board on the issue, Dr Mahathir said: "We are studying the case properly and we'll make a presentation."

But he said it is "not urgent", during a news conference after a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia supreme council meeting.

On whether the Cabinet discussed the matter before his media interviews, he replied: "We didn't discuss the water issue. But I was asked by the press."

The water agreement, which expires in 2061, entitles Singapore to draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from the Johor River.

In return, Johor is entitled to a daily supply of treated water of up to 2 per cent or 5 mgd of the water supplied to Singapore.

Singapore pays 3 sen per thousand gallons of raw water, and sells treated water back to Johor at 50 sen per thousand gallons.

Dr Mahathir's latest complaint follows his announcement last month that Malaysia plans to scrap a multi-billion dollar high-speed rail (HSR) line from Kuala Lumpur to Jurong East.</s>BOTH Malaysia and Singapore must comply fully with all the provisions in the 1962 water agreement, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement on Monday, a ministry spokesman said: "The 1962 Water Agreement is a fundamental agreement that was guaranteed by both</s>SINGAPORE: Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has dubbed the 1962 water supply deal with Singapore as “too costly” and said his government needs to renegotiate the agreement with Singapore.



In a Bloomberg interview published on Monday (Jun 25), Malaysia’s 92-year-old leader said water was among the issues with Singapore “that we need to settle”.

"We will sit down and talk with them, like civilised people," he said in the interview.



Dr Mahathir also said that he would be friendly with Singapore and other nations, while focusing on striking fair deals and ensuring balance.



“I think we can benefit from each other," he said. "We need the expertise of Singapore. Lots of Singapore people invest in Malaysia because it’s much cheaper here."



Dr Mahathir told Bloomberg that he also plans to review Chinese investments and called US President Donald Trump “mercurial”.



“He changes his mind within 24 hours … When you have a man like that, you need to be cautious,” Dr Mahathir said, referring to Trump’s decision on whether to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a summit in Singapore earlier this month.



Since taking power following the shock defeat of Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional coalition, Dr Mahathir has cast doubt on several large government-backed projects, including the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail project with Singapore.



Mahathir told the news agency that he was not worried about his critics: "I want to turnaround the economy to grow once again, to achieve developed country status within the shortest possible time … Whether people appreciate me or not, is not relevant. Once I’m dead, they will say nasty things anyway."



Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian former prime minister Najib Razak in January had reaffirmed the importance of undertaking the necessary measures to ensure the reliable and adequate water supply from the Johore River as provided for in the 1962 Water Agreement.

In a joint statement issued after a Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, both counties also affirmed the terms of the 1962 Water Agreement, under which Singapore is given full and exclusive rights to draw up to a maximum of 250 million gallons (mgd) of water per day from the Johore River.



In return, Johor is entitled to buy treated water of the same volume as up to 2 per cent of the water extracted by Singapore on any given day, or about 5 mgd if Singapore draws its full entitlement of water from the Johor River.



In February this year, then-Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing said Singapore must ensure that it has an adequate supply of water by the 2050s, before the water agreement with Malaysia expires in 2061.



Under national water agency PUB’s masterplan, NEWater and desalination will meet 85 per cent of Singapore’s water demand by 2060. That is also when the total water demand is expected to double.

In a written Parliamentary reply to Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC Seah Kian Peng in January 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said the 1962 Water Agreement was "sacrosanct" to Singapore.



"It was guaranteed by both the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore under the 1965 Separation Agreement, which was deposited with the United Nations," he said.



In March 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore must be psychologically prepared to face water shortages if its reservoirs dry up and when the second water agreement with Malaysia ends in 2061.



At present, imported water meets half of Singapore’s water needs. But water levels in Johor’s Linggiu Reservoir are falling. There is also the danger of prolonged dry weather, Mr Teo said at the time.</s>SINGAPORE – Singapore urged Malaysia on Monday to fully comply with a water-sharing agreement struck in 1962, after Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he was looking to renegotiate it.

Mahathir, in an interview with Bloomberg, criticized the agreement in which Singapore can draw up to nearly 60 percent of its water needs from Malaysia at a fixed price, as being “too costly”, adding that it was an issue “we need to settle” with Singapore.

A spokesperson for Singapore’s foreign ministry responded in an emailed statement, saying: “The 1962 Water Agreement is a fundamental agreement that was guaranteed by both governments in the 1965 Separation Agreement which was registered with the UN. Both sides must comply fully with all the provisions of these agreements.”

Singapore was once part of Malaysia but they separated acrimoniously in 1965, clouding diplomatic and economic dealings for years.

Ties were particularly frosty during Mahathir’s previous tenure as prime minister, between 1981 and 2003.

Since returning to office after an election last month he has halted a rail project with Singapore and said he planned to develop some offshore rocks that were the subject of a territorial dispute with his southern neighbor.</s>related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

2 related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

PUTRAJAYA: The price of water being sold to Singapore is "ridiculous", and Malaysia will make a presentation to its neighbour on renegotiating the terms of the water supply deal, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday (Jun 25).

"I think it is manifestly ridiculous that we should sell water at 3 sen per thousand gallons. That was okay way back in the 1990s or 1930s. But now what can you buy with 3 sen? Nothing," the 92-year-old told Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview.



Earlier, Bloomberg had reported that Dr Mahathir intended to go back to the drawing board on the water accord, which is set to expire in 2061.



"We are studying the case properly and we’ll make a presentation," he told Channel NewsAsia.



The Malaysian leader said the country had yet to inform Singapore about its intent to pull out from a Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project agreed upon by the previous Najib Razak administration as well.



Since his coalition assumed office in a stunning election victory on May 9, Dr Mahathir has stated publicly that the rail link will be scrapped for now in a bid to reduce the country's debt and liabilities exceeding RM1 trillion (US$251 billion). 



"Sometimes we make public statements without actually finalising the process. When we want to make a decision we don't wait till we inform Singapore, we just say something. Of course they would want to know, and we will inform them in time."



Asked when Singapore would be informed, he said: "It's not so urgent."

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak in January had reaffirmed the importance of undertaking measures to ensure the reliable and adequate water supply from the Johore River as provided for in the 1962 Water Agreement.

In a joint statement issued after a Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, both countries also affirmed the terms of the agreement, under which Singapore is given full and exclusive rights to draw up to a maximum of 250 million gallons (mgd) of water per day from the Johore River.



In return, Johor is entitled to buy treated water of the same volume as up to 2 per cent of the water extracted by Singapore on any given day, or about 5 mgd if Singapore draws its full entitlement of water from the Johor River.



In February this year, then-Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing said Singapore must ensure that it has an adequate supply of water by the 2050s, before the water agreement with Malaysia expires in 2061.



Under national water agency PUB’s masterplan, NEWater and desalination will meet 85 per cent of Singapore’s water demand by 2060. That is also when the total water demand is expected to double.

In a written Parliamentary reply to Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC Seah Kian Peng in January 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said the 1962 Water Agreement was "sacrosanct" to Singapore.



"It was guaranteed by both the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore under the 1965 Separation Agreement, which was deposited with the United Nations," he said.



In March 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore must be psychologically prepared to face water shortages if its reservoirs dry up and when the second water agreement with Malaysia ends in 2061.



At present, imported water meets half of Singapore’s water needs. But water levels in Johor’s Linggiu Reservoir are falling. There is also the danger of prolonged dry weather, Mr Teo said at the time.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announces his intention to renegotiate a 1962 water agreement with Singapore, which the latter country regards as sacrosanct.