RI proposes water sale to Singapore

RI proposes water sale to Singapore

Associated Press, Singapore

A Singapore official said Monday that Indonesia will next year complete a proposal on how to supply this island nation with water.

Acting Environment Minister Lim Swee Say told News Radio Monday that the water would come from Indonesia's Riau province.

Singapore now gets more than half of its water through a pipeline from its northern neighbor, Malaysia. However, in 2061, the flow of water from Malaysia will not be enough for the wealthy city-state, which has no natural resources.

In a deal brokered by Singapore's Senior Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, Malaysia agreed to guarantee 1.33 billion liters a day after 2061, when the current deal expires. But the cost of Malaysian water will soon increase more than 15-fold, costing Singapore 45 million Malaysian ringgit more each year.

The price rise was negotiated by Lee as part of an overall package to smooth over five major disputes - water, airspace, immigration facilities, pension savings and the development of railway land - that have strained relations between the two countries for years.

Singapore had asked Malaysia to guarantee 2.85 billion liters.

Lim told News Radio that Singapore wouldn't sign a deal with Indonesia until the quantity, duration of supply and price are set.