Johor has plans to become self-sufficient for treated water

Datuk Osman Sapian. -Bernama filepic

JOHOR BARU: The state government has plans to be self sufficient without the need to purchase treated water from Singapore.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the state had its own plans, which would be finalised soon.

"We have a plan to be self sufficient but that is still in the planning stage and cannot be divulged at the moment," he said after attending a special session with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and the Cabinet ministers in Putrajaya.

Johor was presently supplying 250mil gallons of raw water to Singapore daily.

The island republic purchases the raw water at three sen for every 1,000 gallons.

Johor then buys back about 2% to 6% of the water as treated water from Singapore at 50 sen.

Dr Mahathir, during the meeting, urged Johoreans to speak up on the "morally wrong" water deal, which favoured Singapore.

"I don't hear Johoreans talking about this.

"They don't feel pressured and they are waiting for the federal government's negotiations on the matter," he said.

Osman added that the two-day event had achieved its objective of increasing cooperation between the state and federal governments.

"Many ideas and views were presented during the sessions," he added.