https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/20...r-supply/200026


SINGAPORE, Nov 28 — Singapore has confirmed that discussions with Malaysia related to the 1962 Water Agreement (62WA) are ongoing, according to the republic’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

However, Balakrishnan declined to reveal details of the latest discussions, saying talks were held only recently.

“We used to have two agreements: one signed in 1961 and another in 1962. The 1961 agreement has expired. In 2011, I handed over the waterworks to His Majesty (The Sultan of Johor), and we let that one lapse.

“There is now only one water agreement left, the 1962 agreement, which is valid for 99 years and expires in 2061. That is where things stand for now.”

Balakrishnan said this at a fireside chat with participants of the Malaysian Journalists’ Visit Programme (MJVP) here recently.

In a Joint Statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat held in October 2023, both leaders reaffirmed their commitments as provided for in the 62WA.

Both leaders agreed to reconvene a Joint Technical Committee to resume discussions on measures to safeguard water quality and increase the yield of the Johor River, to ensure its sustainable supply as required by the 62WA.

The leaders also agreed that both countries would resume discussions on the raw and treated water prices, without prejudice to their long-declared positions on the right to review the prices under the 62WA, according to the joint statement.

The 62WA gives Singapore 250 million gallons of raw water per day at three sen per 1,000 gallons and, in return, Malaysia is entitled to buy back the treated water at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons.

The next Annual Leaders’ Retreat is expected to be held this month.

Turning to the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, Balakrishnan said Singapore remains open to considering a fresh proposal.

The minister responded to a question on whether Singapore would revisit discussions on the project.

“It (HSR) was first proposed by the then Prime Minister Najib (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), and we agreed. We signed, we cleared out golf courses, made infrastructure changes and spent money preparing for it.

“Then there was a change of decision in Kuala Lumpur, and we accepted it. So that is over,” he said.

“If there is a new proposal with fresh eyes, we will look at it. We are open to it, but from what I hear from my Malaysian colleagues, it has to be a commercial enterprise and commercially viable. We will have to see,” he said.

Meanwhile, Singapore views its economic ties with Sarawak as strong and steadily expanding, driven by the state government’s proactive efforts to deepen cooperation in trade, tourism and investment.

He said the relationship has grown even closer under the leadership of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, whose commitment to strengthening economic engagement has opened new avenues for collaboration.

Asked about the status of the proposal to establish a Singapore Consulate-General in Sarawak, he replied, “We will wait for approval from Kuala Lumpur.”

The MJVP is organised by the Media Division of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and aims to promote a better understanding of Singapore through fireside chats with political officeholders and learning journeys. — Bernama

datang lagi TS selepas sekian lama

From long ago Johor should have more water treatment plants for own consumption; don't rely on Singapore.

"The 62WA gives Singapore 250 million gallons of raw water per day at three sen per 1,000 gallons and, in return, Malaysia is entitled to buy back the treated water at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons."

so silly... we should sell raw water to SG with price indexed to both our own treated water and SG's retail treated water pricing....

and we just make sure we have enough processing plant ourselves...

water is now a valuable commodities... somemore data centers need filtered water too.

Some more Johor took up so many data center projects. That state will be dry state. Sgor looking to suffer same thing .

R u forgetting that Singapore pioneered the use of newater ie treated sewage water that is good enough to drink? Owai

This post has been edited by diffyhelman2: Nov 29 2025, 05:48 PM

i dont think our negotiation skill is so bad lah.

Yes... They very powderful and great. Let them drink their own processed water from longkang and sea.

We use our raw water to cool down data center also better than give it to them for 3 sen. No?

But but but you sign agreement edi… have to honor until 2061.

Isn't that the whole point of the article? Reminding everyone to plan properly and get a proper deal????

Johor is sinkie's bitch. It's gonna be fine for sinkie.

We sell raw water at 3 sen per 1,000 gallons.
Every day, that means 250 million gallons go across — worth only RM7,500.

Then, under the agreement, we are entitled to buy back treated water at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons.

If we take back the same amount we sold — 250 million gallons — the bill shoots up to RM125,000 per day.

That’s the daily margin Singapore enjoys just from the water trade.
RM117,500 profit per day… mak aihhh!

Now stretch that across time:

Per year: RM42 million in profit.
Over 99 years (1962–2061): RM4.2 billion in profit — and that’s not even counting inflation or changing values over the decades

This post has been edited by das99990428: Nov 29 2025, 10:46 PM