I am not sure of the intention of starting this thread. I am surprise, by the title... I thought this had been few years ago news if ever it should be out here. I know many out here will be bashig which ever being mentioned.... so seems like basing time again... but to me, why now?

Frankly, why bash each other? why not, be more open to see what's others advantages that could be mutual beneifical to all? Inforamtion on SG water needs had already been published in 2007, many of the issues rasied including buying water from MY and pricing issues had been dealt with. As I read, already one of the water agreement had lasped. I had drink newater, say whatever you may, but it taste not different, even with flavouring ( this I can't recall). But the Newater plant is open to tourist and public viewing. it was also published why it took so long for desalination to kick start in SG :

1. HIGH COST at that time, so buying from MY is still much cheaper,
2. Techonlogy not as good as right now.

The cost that Hyflux put forth for the desalination, I understand that it is much cheaper than treating water from MY (If I didn't remember wrongly). The Australian Gov officials had visited the plant to evaluate its application for Australia use. I read their officials comments about the cost is cheaper in SG than in Australia due to the water temperature in this region is warmer. That's also the reason why SG Gov let the one of the agreement lasped. SG Gov as put forth in the press during parliment questioning by MPs as many citizen like myself and many others were kind of blaming the Gov for being unneighbour like. It was then made opened that the total treatment cost was the key issue as it had become higher than desalination. The technology existed but was too EXPENSIVE in the 70s & 80s.

Newater is currently intensively being use for industrial application and some portion, like someone else mentioned, pour into the reservoir for water drinking application. Fishes are living in these water, all the more, Water sport activitives are also being organised and held at such venue, e.g. dragon boat race, water sking competition and world eventuals on water, rowing, etc.... a numner of states in US are drinking Newater.... SHIT water... may be may be not, tell it to those people sho suffered from the Dec Tsunami - Sri Lankans and indonesians.... who had no drinking water. Thousands of them were 1st hand beneficial of this water technology developed = all thank you to MY for kicking SG ass... in this issue.

Also reported in 2007, not sure how true or SG Gov propaganda, it had reported that SG will be water sufficient in few years time (sorry, can't recall the date, think its 2012 or 2011). Water used to be the KEY issue as mentioned in parliment session discussion, but since then it hardly features as key issues with negoiation with MY as reported.

As for Olivia Lum's information.... I didn't read anythying that she was rejected by MY Gov. In fact, there was even a documentary on her, her background and how she came to SG to study. It was shown on Channel 8, I recall watching that episode.... she was send to SG to study, struggle her way staying with relatives and eventually getting her scholarship to study.... Why don't we all be more rational and not be like old SG mindset, claim glory to something simply because she is born in MY or SG, etc..... This sucks mentality used to be what Singaporeans were... may I ask, who gave her that chance to excel? MALAYSIA? where did she developed her knowledge and skills? who gave her the opportunities? Its the same with many of the old SG claim about so and so, but did SG gave them a chance then?

Reservoirs are no longer the only source of water for SG, but there are many more reservoirs now then those days, latest, being Marina Barrage....besides, Newater and desalination, there are also many catchment areas created over the years to tap into the water source. Desalination was planned in the early years after Dr M threatened to cut off water supply to SG. It didn't just come about over night, only when it is viable and cost effective.

This post has been edited by bbmars: Jul 27 2009, 12:26 AM

The cost of infrastrure and maintanence billed by SG Gov, the plant is not in SG mind you. So if MY kick SG staff out, who will get to own the plant? You think SG? who is going to apy for all this? I don't know how true, but it was in the press, the processing cost and breakdown was in the local press regarding the pricing when MY claim that SG sold water to Ships at much higher cost.

Many other issues came to light too regarding selling back water to MY at discoutned prices as compared to Singaporeans are getting. I am not sure how true it is, but its from the SG Gov published in the press. All this out in the open because locals are getting fedup without much information from SG Gov over such issues... all came up after parliment sitting...