(AFP) The country may not be able to continue supplying water to neighbouring Singapore when a water contract expires in 2061, Consumer Affairs minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

"The principle is Malaysia first, Johor first. Even if there is any water to be spared it must be on a commercial basis," he told reporters after meeting Singapore's visiting senior minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Singapore obtains half of its daily water needs from Johor state, where Muhyiddin was former chief minister. Its two water agreements with Malaysia expire in 2011 and 2061.

"You know Johor is expanding. Domestic consumption of water is increasing every year. The question is whether Johor has sufficient water to spare to Singapore beyond what they need," Muhyiddin said.

"Because the main water supply comes from Johor river there may not be sufficient water for Johor in the next 20 to 30 years time," he added.

Assurance wanted

Muhyiddin said Singapore wanted to ensure Malaysia would continue to supply water after the two water agreements expire.

"But then Johor and Malaysia has to think whether at that stage we have enough water to spare you (Singapore) or not. If we do not have enough water to spare, how can we give it to you," he said.

At present Johor sells 910 million litres of raw water daily to Singapore and buys 130 million litres of treated water in return.

Muhyiddin said he was unsure how long it would take for negotiations to conclude for a new water agreement. Lee was due to meet later today Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss points of friction between the two countries as part of his four-day visit which started Sunday.