Johor govt must fight for water deal that favours Singapore, says Dr M

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad cautioned countries like the Philippines to "regulate or limit influences from China".

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Johoreans must speak up about the "morally wrong" water deal that favours Singapore.

"I don't hear Johoreans talking about this. They don't feel pressured and they are waiting for federal government negotiations on the matter," he said.

Dr Mahathir said that the Johor government must also highlight the issue.

He said Singapore is a rich nation that was exploiting a 1926 deal to purchase untreated water from Johor at a cost of only three sen per 1,000 gallons.

The Prime Minister said this when addressing the Johor state leaders retreat here on Thursday (Feb 28).

According to Dr Mahathir, Johor will make a huge profit if the state is able to  manage the supply of water and electricity to Singapore.