PM to visit S’pore on water deal

People gather around the Merlion statue at the Marina Bay waterfront as commercial building stand in the background in Singapore, on Sunday, March 22, 2015. Lee Kuan Yew, who helped transform Singapore from a colonial trading center into one of Asia's most prosperous nations during 31 years as its first elected prime minister, has died. He was 91. Photographer: Nicky Loh/Bloomberg

By BERNAMA / Pic By BLOOMBERG

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is scheduled to be in Singapore for a visit on Nov 12, among others to discuss the water agreement with the republic.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya said the government is firm in its stand to discuss with Singapore for a review of the price of raw water supplied to the republic.

“We will continue to give our commitment. I hope with the cooperation of all parliamentary members, it gives strength to efforts to get the desired price for the Malaysian government,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He was responding to a supplementary question from (BN-Paya Besar) MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah pertaining to the water supply to Singapore.

Marzuki noted that based on the provisions in the Water Agreement 1961 and 1962, the price of raw water supplied by the country was three sen per 1,000 gallons and could be reviewed after 25 years.

As such, he said, Malaysia has the right to review the price of the water as provided in the law.

He said among the steps taken by Malaysia is to make known clearly its stand on the matter during bilateral meetings with Singapore.

“Coordination with the relevant quarters, especially the Johor government, is in progress to resolve the issue without affecting the country’s interests,” he added.— Bernama