Dr M on selling water to the rich, Pak Lah's charity

Former premier Dr Mahatahir Mohamad unleashes a tidal wave of sarcasm over the issue of selling water to Singapore, and in the process drowns his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In his latest blog posting, Mahathir pointed out that the first agreement with Singapore to sell 350 million gallons of raw water at 3 sen per thousand gallons would end in 2011.

"What would we do then? I suspect despite Singapore's famous Newater, it would still need the 350 million gallons daily.

"The other treaty would end by 2060 in which the price is also 3 sen per thousand gallons," he said.

"But without the 350 million gallons daily according to the first treaty, Singapore's rapidly increasing population of new immigrants would not have enough water," he added.

So, Mahathir said, the amount supplied according to the first treaty would be even more crucial despite Newater and desalination.

He added that Pahang would soon be selling water to Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

"I don't think Pahang would be happy to receive 3 sen per thousand gallons.

"Malacca has been paying Johor 30 sen per thousand gallons and is still doing so and would continue to do so I suppose. Would Johor be asking for more than 30 sen in the future? God knows," he said.

Charitable Pak Lah

Pointing the hose in Abdullah's direction, Mahathir criticised the latter for being charitable with regards to this issue.

"The government of Abdullah had very cleverly decided not to raise any of the issues outstanding with Singapore after the bridges were jettisoned.

"I suppose this charitable act would help cement friendship with that city-state with a per capita income of US$36,000 (Malaysia's per capita incidentally is US$7,000, i.e one-fifth of Singapore)," he said.

Noting that 2011 is not too far away, Mahathir asked: "Have we thought about extending the 2011 treaty or not extending it or negotiating a new water supply agreement?"

"Are we going to be charitable again and sell raw water at 3 sen per thousand gallons to our rich neighbour?

"Being charitable and not raising prickly issues is a good way to make friends. But what is the cost to the people of Malaysia," he said.