My objective writing to Singapore's Attorney General is hope there's synergy cooperation between Singapore government and dissident.
Economy stagnantation due to COVID19 will be burdensome for government around the world including Singapore. Thus, climate change activists should not exacerbate the situation by creating unnecessary protest or pressure to government but to work hand-in-hand to find viable solution targeting carbon emission reduction.
From legal point of view, I do not think some laws inherited from colonial era still relevant and effective since most of them are inconsistent with Constitution. Constitution is the supreme law of the land and shall prevail against any law made inconsistent with it thus it doesn't show any wisdom for Singapore to keep those obsolete law that suppress the civil liberty of the people. Those law were made to facilitate British control over their colony with purpose none other than gaining profit for themselves rather than protect the interest of local people. British is not wrong because this is what all other colonial master do but to keep them alive after independent is a sign of weakness in Singapore democracy and make the country look so frail to stand as an independent sovereignty. However, Singapore still far better compare to any country within ASEAN in terms of equality and judiciary independence.
My intention here to increase water and power security while expedite sustainable development goals of both Malaysia and Singapore.
It is possible to make water treatment and supply in Johore zero carbon or even negative carbon by install turbine inside pipeline. Since the water source, Gunung Pulai, is on high altitude it can generate electricity by gravity and combine with wind and solar, it can be zero carbon emission.
Treating own water also make Malaysian realise the correlation of pollution and portable water cost. Malaysian need to learn to conserve water and protect the river and water resources as our own precious property since it will directly affect our expenses.
Singapore have no lack of technology to be self-sufficient, only concern here is how to get it done economically? Increase water cost will induce them to shift more toward self sufficiency and ways to find clean energy for the water treatment in long terms thus expedite the conversion from fossil fuel based power generation to clean energy. I think this just may be the push!
Dear Your Excellency Mr. Lim Guan Eng (Finance Minister),
Refer to the link here
<http://ecosymbiont.blogspot.com/2018/07/malaysia-singapore-water-agreement.html>
First of all, I would like to apology for not kept you in the loop. I have been messaging our Prime Minister Tun Mahathir regarding the Malaysia Singapore Water Agreement.
The details can be found on the link above.
I would also like to apology if you found my blog to be rude but it is not mean to be formal. It is a personal blog. The intention is none other than pressure Singapore to be water and energy self-sufficient, particularly moving toward achieving Sustainable Development goals as well as inducing Johore to go along since if Johore would to treat own water then river pollution will be a cause of concern in order to reduce treatment cost. This inevitable create an economy condition for Singapore to move toward clean energy earlier since non-conventional water treatment require a lots of power and only make sense if they use clean energy which have better financial outlook in long terms. Malaysia on another hand, will have extra income to enhance our water and power security and resiliency.
*I'm not against Singapore although I do feel it posses a threat by defy the North Korea sanction. Besides, my suggestion intention is for the financial able Singapore to expedite the UN Sustainability Goals.
Water tariff need to be adjusted and incorporated with waste treatment cost however it shall consider the B40 thus extreme disparity in tier rate will encourage user to save water.
for example first 20 cubic meter is RM 2.00/cu. m, subsequent is RM4.50 cu. m. of course that will require more study such as average household size and targeted consumption rate. example, household size is 3.89 (around 4 person per house) thus if Johore target to reduce Water Consumption rate to 154 litre/capita/day.
Thus,
Target month water consumption per house (154 litre/ capita/ day) should be
([154 L/capita/dayX 3.89 household size X 365 days in a year]/12months)= 4,696 Liter or 14.69 cubic meter/month.
The first tier of water tariff may be 15 cubic meter with much cheaper rate. Second tier rate may impose significant higher rate to encourage people reduce water consumption and stay within 154liter/capita/day.
For B40 group who have larger household size may consider to give them water bill voucher to offset the higher tier rate penalty.
Additionally, government should encourage installation Rainwater Harvesting system and recycling of water.
Rainwater harvesting system is already been gazetted but loopholes such as dismantling the rainwater harvesting tank to make space for other things after received building approval is happening rampantly.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Aloysius Tay Kian Guan
*The blog is solely created and maintaining with my own resource only. No obligation but any amount of ex-gratia to support the continuation of my writtings is appreciated.
Maybank (Malaysia)account number : 1643 1529 3268 (Tay Kian Guan)
Refer to the link above, I would like to express my support to Tun Mahathir to renegotiate the Malaysia-Singapore Water Agreement.
The reason beings for my support are in this few questions below:
1. Is it not time defying to selling water? (without inflation) at RM0.03/1000 gallon from year 1961 till now? Inflation at least 5000%.
2. Will the water (treated in Malaysia) sold in Singapore still cost the same if the water treatment plant located in Singapore?
3. Why Malaysia can not treat own water and supply to Singapore at market rate?
4. Denomination in Malaysia Ringgit is losing out as Malaysia ringgit is dropping since 1962 to now, can the price peg to a more stable currency?
5. Why no enforcement to ensure illegal effluent discharge into the river? It affect the water security of Malaysia?
6. Should Malaysia revive the "revision clause"so that the agreement is periodically review and revise.The original contract 1962 provided that the price of RM0,03/1000 gallon is subject to revise after 25 years?
7. Why let Singapore claimed they are one subsidizing Malaysia at RM 1.90 (Treatment cost RM 2.40 - Selling price to Malaysia RM 0,50) while the raw water is severely below market price. China sell to Hong Kong at USD 5.80/1000 gallon. If we sell the same rate then Malaysia is actually subsidizing Singapore RM 20/1000 gallons (RM 23.22 ($5.80 - treatment cost RM2.40). So why are we subsidizing Singapore RM20/1000 gallons and lossing RM178.5 billion (*without consider inflation and currency exchange). Malaysia can sell at higher rate ( $5.80) to Singapore. Should you as Prime Minister of Malaysia come out to clear the air instead of letting Rakyat blindly belief the Singapore's allegation?
8. Why Malaysia didn't initiate talks to amend the water contract?Variation/amendment for such a long contract is not uncommon. as long as mutually agreed, it will be legally binding.While Singapore is cunning enough to persistently telling Malaysia that they are the one subsidizing Malaysia and not wiling to talk anymore that doesn't means Malaysia must listen to them. They also look like Tunku Ismail's fan (kipas) that kipas him until him not recognize reality anymore. Singapore helped Malaysia during drought, could they not? since the more we buy from them also allow them to withdraw more from our water.Should your government properly brief Tunku Ismail the reality so no hasty and wrong step were made before the next negotiation?
9. Singapore water scarcity issues is more severe than Hong Kong and their NeWater and desalination consuming more power than conventional water treatment plant thus more costly for them to treat water therefore, economically water from Johore will still cheaper even increase to US$6.30/1000 gallon (treated water). Shouldn't you think you as a Prime Minister of Malaysia have commited a TORT if you would do nothing after acknowledge you this? or even treason. I belief as Prime Minister of Malaysia you have duty to protect the interest of Malaysia especially our natural resources?
On top the of the Water Agreement issues. I would like to suggest Tun Mahathir to review agreement related to the air space, CPF and selling of oil to Singapore? as well as to initiate investigation on Abdul Taib Mahmud? corruption case. I hereby provided you the link above for your to evaluate and lodge a police report at your discretion. I hope there is no fear and favor in the investigation and prosecution?
Best regards.
Jul 2, 8:22PM
Please do not belief Singapore brought it to detect their busy port. Every ship got lowland beacon which port can pick up. There's no need for submarine to detect. Even if require upgrade sensor they can install it on boat or fix at port .
The submarine they brought is a military grade, able to go on stealth mode. It is design to attack while unable to be trace.
Singapore got more submarine than Malaysia. Please don't show lackadaisical attitude on this.
My suggestion is to get Anti-Submarine Warfare weapon first as short term measure before acquire submarine to counter-defence.
Please kindly meet up with Defence Minister, Admiral and General Army to discuss on the matter.
3rd Jul, 8:13pm
Matter pertaining Water Agreement, Singapore may use Nestle(a company that sell mineral water) issues as precedent since Nestle withdraw water at ridiculous price but Nestle is not without objection from the people and Canada& California state government despite the company also do CSR.
Nestle bottled the water withdrawn from Canada before sell to USA at few thousands times the rate Malaysia sold to Singapore.
Water export is very unfavourable from Canada. Canada had turn down many deals since 1960.
Export water in the North America faces many legal and political restriction since the 1960. Unlike Malaysia so willingly to offer the bluegold(what North American refer to water ) at such cheap rate.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_export
Singapore is currently under investigation for trading with North Korea despite UN sanction. Singapore Trading company and bank is selling luxury items and oil to North Korea despite sanction thus Singapore is deviating the United Nation Sanction ordinance. As a member of United Nation, if Singapore can breach the agreement of UN member then why not possible for Malaysia to officially and openly negotiate the Water Agreement? After all the original water agreement provide revision of price after 25 years.
On top of that, I would also like to know how Singapore submarine transport from Germany to Singapore? If the submarine pass by Melaka Straits then did Malaysia Navy pick up any signal? If not, I suggest Malaysia install sensors and surveillance system to detect any possible threat.
Please note that they are selling USD$7.50/gallon of bottled water. Canada only allow export bottled water. So 1000gallon is USD$7500/1000gallon. Plastic bottle&packaging cost USD$500 thus $7000/1000gallon.
Anyway, Nestle is facing legal action from many residents.
Malaysian too not happy with the ridiculous rate supply to Singapore.
Jul 3rd, 9:43PM
Compare Nestle with Malaysia-Singapore Water Agreement is akin to compare Apple with Orange.
It would be another ridiculous thing if Singapore were to use the Nestle case to substantiate the 62 Water Agreement.
Nestle need to pay income tax to the government on top of the rent& loyalty paid (already more than RM0.03/1000gallons).
Nestle is a local company that employ locals& pay income tax. Nestle in Canada when export to USA there is NAFTA but Malaysia don't have such thing with Singapore. Furthermore, Canada ban bulk water export and only allow bottled water. The packaging and bottled of water by Nestle is contributing to Canada economy.
Bottled water from Canada is selling at USD 7.50 to USD8.00 /gallon thus USD7500 /1000gallon. If Singapore would want that then Malaysia may have a Malaysian company to process and sell the bottled water to Singapore at the same rate of USD7500/1000 gallon + SST tax(Fix rate of Rm1.00/gallon).
Even after all these, Nestle is facing protest from local residents whether in Ontario of Canada or the USA Nestle in California or Sacramento.
The point is Nestle is a local company under the country control. Nestle in Canada is subject to Canada law and license may be revoke. Likewise for Nestle in USA, it's license can be evoke. Thus, it is not comparable to the Malaysia Singapore Water Agreement otherwise Malaysia also can revoke Singapore license.
Jul 4th 10:45pm
Very Apology for the mistake.
Please also note this calculation don't include inflation & currency fluctuations. Ideally should factor in NPV and projected currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Also should calculated from the date it effective to the end since 50years have gone.
Additionally, the 250 million gallon is not the limit anymore since they can withdraw more thus potential lost is more.
Jul 6th, 8.19pm
Please kindly coordinate with Johore state government to ensure no negotiation between them and Singapore prior to the negotiation from Federal Government.
My advise is the federal government talk to SPAN and all other state water treatment company to discuss how to take over the treatment plant. We must be confident to treat our own water first before talk to them.
If necessary, borrow staff from local treatment company or maybe even expert from SPAN to take over. Please be cautious that the cunning Singapore will bribe them or tend to take the opportunity to jack up prices so please use assert pressure on SPAN to temporary take over and train new recruit to take over the facility.
May even ask NAHRIM to take the opportunity introduce rainwater harvesting system to mitigate the water consumption rate.
We should reduce water consumption rare below 154 litre/day/capita and NRW (non-revenue water) to less than 15%.
Please kindly send expert to study what are the materials, equipment and ancillary items Singapore is using to treat the water and ensure before kick the out they didn't cause any damage or proper function of the water treatment system.
On anther hand, please get Defence Minister ready for any foreseeable tricks they play. Foreign Minister should also play a role to make sure others neighbor such as Thailand and Indonesia is on our side.
I am sorry that I do not agree with Johore State Government proposed Rm0.50/1000gallons. Melaka is part of Malaysia but Singapore is not. The CPI of Singapore is far higher than Melaka so as the purchase power, not to mention after currency conversion. Johore state government did a big mistake by turn down the 25years revision and I do not have confident that they know what they are doing. Corruption may had happen.
I hope you can also loop in others things such as toll rate (enter Singapore), join develop previous KTM line from Woodland to Tanjong Pagar, CPF, Singapore KL line, MRT& etc so that the water talks will not affect others matter concerning Malaysian.
Check their(PUB) vehicle when entering and exit immigration custom.
Please do a thorough check when take over the treatment plant from Singapore. Check every pipe and system, inside outside thoroughly.
Please also check from water source to distribution system.do a checklist, document the inspection and make sure it is verifiable.
I'm sorry to say this, the lackadaisical attitude in the inspection is common even Army camp where security is utmost important.
Do not let PUB lead the inspection. Please send expert in the field (prefer young professional since the old one always apa tak apa). Send more than one to Engineer for inspection avoid corruption. Be reasonable but stand firm.
This may be trivial at your level but very detrimental (costly)if not carry out properly.
Reference:
Reference 1: Indepent News UK
Reference 2: CBS News
Reference 3: Wikipedia- Export Water
Reference 4: BBC News
Reference 5: StraitsTimes News
Reference 6: Nkeconwatch
*The blog is solely created and maintaining with my own resource only. No obligation but any amount of ex-gratia to support the continuation of my writtings is appreciated.
Maybank (Malaysia)account number : 1643 1529 3268 (Tay Kian Guan)
The second cheapest selling rate of water sold between government is USD5.80/1000 gallon (Rm23.22) treated water which is Guangdong to Hong Kong, even though both are part of China sovereign. Same country normally sell cheaper which make Malaysia Singapore relationship not normal.
Malaysia is selling at a rate of Rm0.03/1000gallon (raw water). Singapore claimed cost of water treatment is Rm2.40/1000gallon. even so it would round up to Rm2.43/1000gallon.
Singapore is selling in Singapore at S$2.74/cubic meter(S$12.33/1000gallon=Rm36.99/1000gallon) for the first 40m3 and above 40m3 at S$3.69/cubic meter(S$16.60/1000gallon=Rm49.80/1000gallon).
Ok, just assumed everyone consumed less than 40m3/month in Singapore. Rm36.99 is still 15.2 times higher than the cost.
Singapore Water Tariff -2018
If Malaysia would to employed Singaporean to treat the water and sell it at the second cheapest rate like China water, Rm23.22/1000gallon to Singapore. Singapore still make a profit of of RM13.77 for supplying water at the same rate. Is Singapore profiteering?. so is Malaysia indirectly subsidizing Singapore then?
Why on earth Malaysia would sell at absurdly cheap rate of Rm0.03 while let Singapore PUB employee(paid in sing dollar)to treat water and sell it to Malaysia as if it is Singapore subsidizing Malaysia?
Even so, it is based on Singapore treatment cost. Malaysia have equal well qualified professionals to do the water treatment at much lower rate at Rm0.60 -Rm 1/1000gallon. RM0.03 Raw water + RM1 Treatment Cost =RM1.03 Treated Water. If we sell it same rate with China sell to Hong Kong then it would be (RM23.22/RM1.03=22.54 times) 22.5 times. also equivalent to 35.9 times of Singapore Water Tariff for first 40 cu m and 51.29 times of RM49.8 for above 40 cu m.
How true Singapore claimed subsidizing Malaysia is that the water treatment cost RM 2.40/1000 gallons and sell back to Malaysia at RM 0.50/ 1000 gallons thus absorbing RM1.90/ 1000 gallons when Malaysia is selling at subsidiary rate of (China treated water price RM23.22- Singapore Treatment Cost RM2.40 = Malaysia suppose raw water rate RM20.82) RM 20.82 every 1000 gallons of water(if would to take Hong Kong as example)?
Therefore, Singapore claiming subsidizing Malaysia by taking advantage of our stupid cheap raw water rate is only true by judging the facts that the erectile-dysfunction-like state of Johore's water treatment plant coupled with the ever polluted river as a result of uncivilized population, is also factor contributing to the shame. Appeared-to-be-retarded Johore government official also taking granted of Singapore extra treatment capacity (ready at anytime to sell) without realizing true cost of water and water security in the future.
SAJ- Johore's Water Tariff
Singapore said the water Malaysia selling is free falling from the sky then should Malaysia ask Singapore how much Singapore pay for its land? Basically, the notion of sovereignty is drawing boundary to which natural resources belong to a nation. It is of course free from God. Nature don't charge money, it is human who invented money as a medium to give value. The only cost for natural resources is the sovereign protection cost (defence sovereignty). Others cost beyond the natural resources cost are cost for extraction and the process beyond is already in value adding section. Thus land (including gold, silver, copper, tin, bauxite, jade, diamonds, sapphire, woods,& others minerals, and cultural artifacts), water (e.g. fish& water), sky and everything within the sovereign have a value. This is not very difficult to understand, isn't it?
What giving Singapore more advantage is the rolling on down hill Ringgit. Malaysia Ringgit used to be higher than Singapore dollars in the early 70's but going down in tandem with the level of civilization now. This make the RM0.03/1000 gallons even cheaper. Easily predicted to be going even more cheaper as it move toward the end of 2061.
Only if Malaysia able to come clean (free of corruption ) and crystal clear (non-communal based policy, equality for all races) then only Malaysia's tap water is also colorless and odorless.
Malaysia can treat water with cheaper rate of Rm0.60/1000gallon and don't need to look like a beggar. of course, eventually the cost will increase but that imply Malaysia income will go in tandem to afford the tariff, if we truly achieve equality (meritocracy). We should ask will Singapore enjoy such a cheap water cost if the treatment plant is in Singapore(known for world most expensive land)? Why Malaysia is not able to treat our own water and water that sell to Singapore? This is the reason why in my suggestion to North South Korea Unification, I deliberately suggest to process natural resources extract from North Korea to be process into at least raw materials for secondary industry. Is the contract allow for revision? Yes, the Water Agreement originally designed to allow for price revision after 25 years. and for such a long contract variation is not uncommon, as long as both party mutually agree then it will continue be legally binding.
Scenario without factor currency exchange
I wonder whether Malaysia government official ever done any calculation before signing the deal. 1961&1962 might have excuse as they might not see it coming but Johore State Government shall not omit the 25 years review provision under the contract. It show how shallow minded and narrow minded they are. unequivocally the denialism culture is plaguing the Malaysian society and the cause (cost & suffering) is deadly to themselves.
source: tradingeconomics.com (Singapore Dollars Vs USD& Malaysia Ringgit Vs USD)
Provided that the currency is Ringgit denomination instead of the more common international trading currency of US Dollars. I believe it would have been at least 40% more if would to use US dollar.
Chronicles of Water Agreement
02 Oct 1961- Tebrau and Scudai Rivers Water Agreement signed between city council of the state of Singapore and Johore state government.
Full& exclusive right to suck water from designated area at Gunung Pulai, Sungei Tebrau& Sungei Scudai for 50years up till 2011, at land rental rate of RM5/ acre and RM0.03/1,000 gallons of raw water.
Singapore in turn supply minimum 4 million gallons (18,184 cu m) or 12% of the total amount of raw water it drew out from Johore daily at RM0.50/ 1000gallons or whichever amount of treated water more than 12% of raw water it drew from Johore.
29 Sep 62 - Johor River Water Agreement between City Council state of Singapoore and Johore State Government.
Valid for 99 years till 2061
Singapore have right to suck 250 million gallons/ day (1.14million cu m) from Johore river.
Johore get treated water amounting to 2% of the total water Singapore suck from it daily. e.g. if Singapore suck 250 million gallons today they need to supply 5 million gallon treated water.
Singapore pay rent for the land it used at the standard rate applicable to the building lots on town land.
Singapore buy raw water at previous price i.e. RM0.03/ 1000 gallons and sell treated water at RM0.50/1000 gallons to Johor.
After Malaysia stopped using common currency in 1973, price denominated in Malaysia Ringgit.
Agreement provided the review of prices every 25 years with arbitration if fail to negotiate and agree on prices. however, Johor state government chose not to revise in 1986 and 1987.
09 Aug 1965 - Independence of Singapore Agreement signed between Government of Singapore and Malaysia to guaranteed the 1961& 1962 water agreements.
28 Jun 88 - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Mahathir Mohamad (Malaysia PM) and Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore PM) to conclude the 6 years negotiations.
24 Nov 90 - Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Singapore signed agreement with Johore State Government as supplementary to the 1962 pact.
Johore set aside 21,600 ha (216 sq km) of land for Singapore to construct a dam across Sungei Linggiu which Singapore paid RM320 million as compensation for the permenent loss of the use of land. Maintenance cost is borne by Singapore.
Singapore allowed to draw more than 250mgd of raw water from Johore River (More than what agreed under 1962 agreement).
Water drawn from this dam price at 115% of average water tariff of Johor or Average water tariff of Johore + 50% of surplus from (Johor Water Tarrif - PUB cost of distribution), whichever is higher.
24 may 2010- After the retreat camp Malaysia PM Najib and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore, they decided the Point of Agreement 1990 has reached agreement.
Future Water Supply Prognostication
Malaysian don't prepare for future. So myopia that unable to foresee the fate of Johore's water security is more and more depending on Singapore. By looking at the current situation, it seems that the more polluted the water the more Malaysia benefit from the lower water treatment cost from Singapore but when the water agreement end in year 2061...if Singapore successfully achieve fully water self-sufficient by then and Johore still unable to treat own water independently then the cost of treatment Johore will be go up tremendously (due to pollution in the river) then Johore will suffer. Either still depend on Singapore at Singapore discretion to price the water treatment after 20
61 or die standing.
2016 July 16, Badan Kawalselia Air Johor (Bakaj, a water regulatory of the state) shamelessly made an urgent request to PUB of Singapore to supply additional six (6)million gallons of water daily on top of the existing 16 million gallons per day to Johore. Reason being is poor governance that result rampant river pollution. High ammonia content in the river as a result of effluents discharge from palm mills. 600,000 users in the southern Johore is affected. I believe the financial loss suffer by the 600,000 users is more than the cost of proper waste treatment of the oil palm.
No ideal how much penalty is imposed to the palm oil mills and how much is compensation is paid to loss and damages suffer by those users. I doubt there's any penalty imposed or the penalty is not even any figure near the cost of proper waste disposal. Bribery is an easy way out and if penalty is nothing near to what should comply the law then the incident will repeat to maximize profitability.
Fragmented and overlapping function of Malaysia regulatory agencies in water management is an obviously evident the government fail to recognize the hydrology cycle as a whole. worst, RESPONSIBILITY is absent in the dictionary of tai chi master in those agencies.
It will be a costly affair for Malaysia in the future especially integrity in the water industry is low. MACC need to step in, clear corrupted bugs and slowly gain control of water treatment. How to make own national car if can't even treat own water?
Singapore on another hand able to be fully water self-sufficient before 2061 but with a little initial cost in the infrastructure. I sure hope to see Singapore be water self-sufficient and confident Singapore can do it. Only matter is how to do it cheaply.
Singapore overall water demand is going up despite expected to reduce water consumption per capital per day from 152 to 140 in 2061.
