The possibility of a war between neighbours Malaysia and Singapore over the unresolved water supply crisis is highly unlikely, an academic who studies conflict and peace said today.

Dr Kamarulzaman Askandar of Universiti Sains Malaysia told malaysiakini that this was due to an entrenched neighbourly tie which could not be so easily severed.

In every conflict involving two parties, there is always that possibility of an unresolved problem escalating into an armed military conflict. But the question of the possibility of both Malaysia and Singapore being driven to that extreme end of conflict solving would be unlikely, said the coordinator of the department for research and education for peace in USM.

Kamarulzaman was commenting on a statement by retired army officer Zaini Mohd Said in yesterdays Mingguan Malaysia that the water dispute between the two countries could give rise to a possibility of an armed conflict.

Zaini had said that the close ties between people of the two Asean members was insufficient to prevent a military conflict.

In this context, it is crucial the issue of water is addressed with caution by the leaders and the governments of the two countries, said the former lieutenant-general.

However, Kamarulzaman added that the outcome of the conflict very much depended on what the parties actually want.

At the present moment, both Malaysia and Singapore do not appear to be very sincere in their bid to resolve the matter, so it would be likely that this issue could drag on for some time, added Kamarulzaman, who is also regional co-ordinator of the Southeast Asian conflict studies network.

Singapore subsidy

The two countries are at odds over the prices that Malaysia pays for treated water that the republic resells. Singapore had earlier rejected allegations by Malaysia that the city-state has been underpaying for the water it gets from its neighbour.

Singapore obtains half of its daily water needs from Johor at three sen per 1,000 gallons.

According to a spokesperson with its Foreign Affairs Ministry, it costs Singapore RM2.40 to treat a thousand gallons of water, which is sold to Johor at 50 sen per thousand gallons.

Singapore is therefore absorbing the cost of treated water sold to Johor to the amount of RM1.90 per thousand gallons. Johor in turn sells the treated water it has purchased from Singapore to its consumers at RM3.95 per thousand gallons, the spokesperson was quoted as saying in the Singapore Straits Times yesterday.

Singapores two water agreements with Malaysia expire in 2011 and 2061.