KUALA LUMPUR – Any delays in resolving water supply issues between Malaysia and Singapore is of no benefit to the people, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today, as he called on Johor to increase its water yield.
Speaking in Singapore, Anwar said that the Johor government must be ready to expand, strengthen, and improve its water yield capacity.
This, he added, would both meet the needs of Johoreans and benefit Singapore under the 1962 Johor River Water Agreement.
“Delaying the project would not provide any benefit to Malaysians, as it means the prices will remain for a long time,” he said in a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat in the republic.
“Whereas, quickening (the project) means there is a capacity to increase the cost of water prices, and also Singapore’s willingness to organise the project in the Johor River – which requires financial injections from the nation.
“We even agree that Singapore and Johor can expedite the survey to see the ability to widen the river and yield capacity in Johor,” Anwar added, explaining that Putrajaya will discuss this with the Johor government.
Anwar was responding to reporters who asked about the progress of solving various outstanding issues with Singapore.
Under the 1962 Water Agreement, Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons of water a day from the Johor River.
It pays 3 sen per thousand gallons of raw water and subsequently sells treated water back to Johor at 50 sen for the same amount.
Anwar said that instead of purely focusing on price mechanisms, it is important to Singapore’s participation in both the study and management of the Johor River with the state government.
As such, the Tambun MP said he welcomed Singapore’s preparations to assist in the project while reiterating Malaysia’s commitment to honour the agreement. – October 30, 2023