It is a genius idea to propose charging higher water price to
international clientele in Spore (ships, airports, aircraft and
resorts). ''profits can be shared equitably'' by SG and MY !!This
was proposed by a former Ambassdor of
MY ,Datuk DEVA M. RIDZAM,a former ambassador to the European Union,
Belgium and Luxembourg (2000-2005) and to Cambodia
(1991-1996).
1.Opinion:
Saying goodbye to past stresses and strains by
DEVA M. RIDZAM--www.nst.com.my 21.05.2007
....The second challenge is how both sides can resolve
outstanding issues, in particular the price of water to Singapore.
It is a commercial contract.
This is a straightforward case of what is a fair price between "a
willing seller and a willing buyer", after taking into
consideration Malaysias needs before meeting Singapores
additional domestic water requirements.
In other words, Malaysia will honour the existing contract relating
to the volume of water to be supplied to Singapore for its
legitimate domestic needs, but at a new "fair price".
Malaysians remain sore that the price revision has not been agreed
to. As a result, Mal-aysians continue to pay a heavy price,
measured in hundreds of millions of ringgit in lost revenues.
The water trade is a clear example of interdependence involving
costs and benefits to both sides. Our countries must be prepared to
pay a fair price and bear acceptable costs and focus on the long
term as well as the ups and downs of the moment. Only then can a
new deal be worked out.
Malaysians and Singaporeans continue to be concerned that acrimony
between their countries remains a stumbling block to better
relations.
Beyond Singapores domestic need, additional water supply can be
made available to service its international customers (ships,
airports, aircraft and resorts). But this should be on a different
basis.
Malaysia can, for example, consider allocating a specified volume
of water and charging a true market price for Singapores
international clientele. In this regard, there may be room for a
joint venture whose profits can be shared equitably.....
2.Water
agreements: Its not simply a matter of water price,By : SHIVAKUMAR
NAIR for Singapore High Commission Kuala
Lumpur
DATUK Deva M. Ridzam, in his commentary, "Saying goodbye to past
stresses and strains" (NST, May 21), made assertions on the water
issue which are fundamentally inaccurate.
Ridzam wrongly stated that the 1961 and 1962 agreements between the
Johor government and the Singapore City Council ("the Water
Agreements") are "commercial contracts" between Singapore and
Malaysia.
On the contrary, the water agreements are not ordinary or
"commercial" agreements.
These are binding international agreements duly confirmed and
guaranteed by both the Malaysian and Singapore governments in the
Separation Agreement that established Singapore as a sovereign
state in 1965, and registered at the United Nations.
Both countries are, therefore, bound by international treaty
obligations to honour observance of the water agreements and
neither side can unilaterally vary their terms and
conditions.
Ridzam was thus mistaken to describe the price of water under the
water agreements as "a straightforward case of what is a fair price
between a willing seller and a willing buyer".
Johor is bound by the water agreements to sell water to Singapore
at a specified price.
The agreements provide a mechanism for the price to be reviewed and
for disputes to be resolved through the process of
arbitration.
Singapore has made clear its willingness to resolve the matter
through arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the
agreements.
Therefore, it is not simply a matter of price; rather, it is how
the agreement on the new price is reached by both sides.
3.SG is treated like younger bro again!
