With Rising Living Costs Pm Slams Ridiculous Price Of Water To Singapore

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Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that while living costs continue to rise, at least one thing has remained at a "ridiculously low" price
Speaking at the launch of the National Community Policy in Puchong, Mahathir drew parallels between the prices of affordable homes in Malaysia to raw water being sold to Singapore at three sen per 1,000 gallons
"I remember when I was a boy, with one sen I could go to the market and buy a few spices
"Now with one sen you can't buy anything. The same with three sen, which is the price of water being sold to Singapore
"Is that reasonable? I don't think that's reasonable," said the prime minister, who has actively pushed for a review of the water agreement with Singapore since returning to office
Mahathir recalled affordable homes being priced at RM25,000 in the past, which could now cost upwards of RM100,000
"It is not impossible for houses priced at RM400,000 now to cost around RM1 million in 10 to 20 years' time," he said, adding that government has a duty to ensure the people will not be overly burdened by the rising cost of living
At a press conference after the launch, Mahathir stressed that the price of an item should be reflective of the times
The premier was flanked by Housing and Local Council Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and other Harapan leaders at the press conference
On the progress of reported negotiations with Singapore on a review of the 1962 Water Agreement, Mahathir said that Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has been tasked to lead the renegotiation team
Under the current agreement, which is only due to expire in 2061, Singapore is reportedly drawing up to 250 million gallons a day of raw water from the Johor River. Johor, in turn, is entitled to 5mgd of treated water from Singapore, at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons. - Mkini

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