In a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Anwar said there is a need for the two countries to collaborate on enhancing the capacity of the Johor River, which supplies water to the island republic.

“We will have to work together to ensure that Johor will be able to enhance its capacity to supply (enough water) for Johor’s increasing needs and for Singapore as well.”

At present, Singapore buys raw water from Johor at the price of 3 sen per 1,000 gallons. The republic also sells back treated water to Johor for 50 sen per 1,000 gallons.

During the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan government in 2018, there was a plan to review the price of raw water supplied to the republic.

In the following year, the government expressed its wish to work towards zero dependency on Singapore’s treated water for Johor.

Separately, Lee announced that Malaysia and Singapore are conducting a feasibility study on a special economic zone (SEZ) to determine areas that require enhancement.

Both countries will then sign a memorandum of understanding based on the outcome of the study by early next year.

Lee said Singapore and Malaysia would need to study how to improve the flow of goods as well as manpower between the two countries.

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