'S'pore tries to bog down water talks'

'S'pore tries to bog down water talks'

MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday accused Singapore of trying to buy more time in a protracted dispute over water sales in order to pay less at Malaysia's expense.

Under agreements signed in the early 1960s that run until 2061, Singapore pays neighboring Malaysia 3 sen (US$0.01) per 1,000 imperial gallons (1,200 U.S. gallons or 4,540 liters) of untreated water.

Malaysia, however, says the prices have been stagnant for too long. Last September, Singapore offered to raise the rate to 45 sen (US$0.11) until 2061, and 60 sen (US$0.16) after that.

But Mahathir on Wednesday confirmed Singapore recently slashed its proposed offer to 12 sen (US$0.03 cents) until 2061.

Mahathir has called the current rates "ridiculous," saying Hong Kong pays mainland China the equivalent of 8 ringgit (US$2.10) for the same amount of water. --AP