We will die within a few days without water. Seventy per cent of our body and ninety per cent of our blood are made of water. It is simply that no one should be deprived of water. Like air, it is taken to be given.

Then we have a system of democracy that asks us to elect our representatives to make laws that can govern our living. So we do, and we did for the eleventh time in 2004. The land of ours is full of water and little are we worried that water will become a debate for our representatives.

Two documents are now being circulated with legal jargons. Both documents are all about water. The fate of water that we have taken for granted all along is going to be decided by our representatives.

First and foremost, we are grateful that our representatives have been making laws for the common good of everyone. The poor, rich, young and old of all colours and creed and race are living with hope and dignity. The desires and aspirations of each of us are the expressions of our representatives in making laws for us.

It never before dawned on us that one day, water will become an issue for the lawmakers. It is said that the government which has been providing water for all us is now finding it hard to continue doing that task. We ask why? The government says there is very little money left, and to continue to give water, more money is needed.

We ask again, if you make the two laws, will you have enough money to give us water? The government says, yes. Next question that we ask is simple, how is it possible that when you just make two laws, you are able to get money to give us water? Are you hiding something from us?

Of course, the response is predictable. 'Everything will be transparent, accountable and nothing to worry about'. But as in the past, we have known one thing, that filthy water cannot be washed. But for now, we want to know the trick, something that you are not telling us - how you are going get money to give us water?

So that is it. The government is going to let someone out there give us water and take over the burden from the government. Who is that someone and where is he going to get the money?

Then we come to the core of the question, are you going to make laws to sell our rights to this someone who will then sell us water? Your laws will ensure that we pay for our water; and the laws will ensure that the someone gets paid by us. Are you aware that your laws are going be binding on our children, your children and all our grand children?

When you pass the laws, you will indeed be life sentencing everyone.

You want us believe that you are making the laws for our benefit? Or are you selling our rights and our lives?