The Singapore jitterbug

Unless and until the issue of the supply of water by Malaysia to Singapore is fully resolved, the bilateral agenda for both countries will be reduced to just fixing new dates for the next round of talks to find a solution to the matter.

It appears that progress is still at a snail's pace despite Singapore relenting to a certain extent at the second round of talks it hosted last month when it agreed to specifically discuss the upward review of the price of water. And in the meantime, there are still fuzzy signals that quick solutions are not in the pipeline.

Take yesterday's statement by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong that the republic is not against a price review -- provided it stays part of a comprehensive settlement of the remaining issues between the two countries.

The price at which water is now being sold to Singapore is indefensible and its market-based correction has become a matter of national interest, whether it is tied up in a "package" or not.

Whether Singapore has the legal right to ask for reasons and call for fresh elements, such as Newater and desalinated water, to be factored into the calculations is not an issue here. What is most important is that it should disabuse itself of the "one step forward, two steps back" tactic it appears to be playing. It is long past time for the two neighbors to move on.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur