I must admit that I had previously had admired Dr Mahatair of
Malaysia for his leadership of his country. However, recent events
(raised by Malaysia) have rather marred my previously good
impression of him. However, this erroding of my confidence in this
leader is not without precedent. A few years back, he ordered his
own deputy, Mr Anwar to be jailed and charged with sodomy.
Although this might be to show his impartiality in dealing with
things, I disagree with how that case was handled.
With Singapore, it is not dealing with an individual, but Dr
Mahatair is dealing with 4 million people unified with one stand
(Malaysia has no rights to review the price of the sale of raw,
untreated water). It is evident in that even the opposition parties
in Singapore support this stand unanimously. Mr Chiam See Tong once
mentioned to the effect of "If Malaysia were to, breach the
Seperation Agreement by turning the water off, it is an act of
provocation, and Singapore will have the choice of retatliating to
maintain the status quo.
However, as I do not remember his actual words, these were, at the
very least, what the opposition MP meant.
I sincerely hope that the Malaysians will know that, Singapore is
already paying for everything, including the infrastructure and
treatment plants, we are currently subsidising the treated water we
supply to Johor, and that the Malaysian government does not need to
even fork out any capital to provide raw water.
I hope this ridiculous war of words will cease soon, and let us
live as INDEPENDANT, SOVERIGN, and PEACEFUL neighbours.
