Malaysia will remain patient with Singapore despite a deadlock over talks to review the price of water it supplies to the island-state, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.

"Discussions will continue. Let them sort it out ... they don't agree on some issues, so our negotiators must continue to persevere and be patient," he told reporters.

Abdullah's comments came a day after senior officials from the two countries failed to resolve differences over water pricing after two days of talks in Johor.

Malaysia, which supplies resource-starved Singapore with half its daily water needs, wants a price increase. It now sells raw water to Singapore at three sen for 4,550 litres.

But Singapore insists Malaysia has no legal grounds as Kuala Lumpur did not exercise the clauses which allowed for a price review when they were due as agreed under the two water pacts between them.

Recycling waste water

Singapore recently began recycling waste water on a limited scale to cut its dependence on Malaysian imports, and has said it will be in a position to let one of the water agreements lapse in 2011. A second pact expires in 2061.

Malaysian officials said foreign ministers from the two countries would meet again to pursue negotiations but no date has been set.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar earlier this week said Malaysia has been very accomodating but Singapore "wanted to win on all counts."

"The ball is no longer at Malaysia's feet ... if Singapore wants us to believe they want to resolve the issue but put up impediments and obstacles, it is going to be difficult," he said.

Water has been a key irritant in bilateral relations since Singapore was kicked out of the Malaya Federation and gained independence in 1965.

Other disputes include a proposed new bridge linking the two countries, use of Malaysian airspace by Singaporean aircraft and the location of Malaysia's customs, immigration and quarantine facilities in Singapore.