I have been watching the Malaysia-Singapore water dispute with interest over the past few months. My comments are as follows:

The Malaysian government has recently raised the water rates in Sungai Buloh (where my parents live) from RM0.57 per cubic meter to RM0.91 per cubic meter. Is this not enough to cover the 'losses' incurred as a result of their business dealings with Singapore? I am not the only one paying this price, you know.

My parents received an "estimation bill" amounting to four times their average monthly usage this month. They are living in an apartment and their water meter is on the ground floor.

There is no reason for the Waterworks department to issue them an 'estimation bill' because the meter reader is not restricted to anyone, anytime of the day. They have been staying in this apartment for the past three years and their average usage is five to six cubic meters per month.

According to the estimation bill they received this month, their usage is estimated at 30 cubic metres! On what basis can the Waterworks department estimate that my parents usage will increase by four times their usual monthly amount?

Based on these incidents, I believe that the Malaysian government is desperate for money and is using the Singapore issue to deviate the minds of Malaysians from the actual situation.