Singapore ‘ open’ on water price issue

> PM Lee more receptive to discussions now, says Mahathir

SINGAPORE: The 1962 water agreement was among matters raised during a meeting between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong here yesterday.

“We raised some of the issues in the past which were regarded as controversial,” Mahathir said on the sidelines of a high-tea event with Malaysians in Singapore.

“I thought I had to state our stand on it. I think (Lee) was quite accommodating. He listened to my views and I think he is more open to discuss these things (now). Before, they just rejected all efforts at renegotiating.”

Mahathir is in the city-state for a two- day official visit, during which he will join nine other heads of government for the 33rd Asean Summit and Related Meetings, Bernama reported.

On whether Singapore agreed to revise the current price, Mahathir said: “They didn’t say they agree but at least they appear to be willing to state their case and for us to state ours,” he said, adding that the next step would involve discussions between officials from both sides.

Issues on the agreement resurfaced in the middle of this year after Mahathir said the price of raw water sold to Singapore was “ridiculous”, and said he planned to renegotiate terms.

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

The city-state pays three sen per thousand gallons of raw water, and sells treated water back to Johor at 50 sen per thousand gallons.

Johor is entitled to a daily supply of treated water of 5mgd, or up to 2% of the water supplied to the republic.

Mahathir said the issue of Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) was also discussed, but did not not elaborate.

Many Malaysians who have left the republic after working there are unable to withdraw their CPF savings.

On whether he had broached the subject of the third bridge, Mahathir said: “I didn’t.”

To commemorate Mahathir’s visit, the Singaporean government announced an orchid hybrid named after him and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

Named Dendrobium Mahathir Siti Hasmah, the orchid is described as having “distinguished” mahogany petals.

The naming ceremony was witnessed by Lee and his wife Ho Ching at the Istana here.