Categories: Malaysia, Singapore
Malaysia had been experiencing a 3-month drought period. This has caused the major dams in the country to fall to near critical water level. Water levels in most dams in the county has fallen to about 40% of their capacity. Malaysians are now bracing themselves for a possible water ration. In the state of Johor, which supply water to Singapore, residents had been complaining of murky water. Some areas had water only on alternate days.
Down to the south of Malaysia, in the island state of Singapore, where there are no natural resource, there emerge another story. They have just opened their first desalination plant on 13th September. From a country that receives millions of gallons of water daily from the state of Johor in Malaysia, it now has plans to turn off one of these pipes when the water treaty is due for renewal in about 5 years time.
Why are there two different outcomes for the two neighbours which essentially started off with a same history some fourty years ago?
Malaysia, a country of slightly more than 300 000 sq km, is blessed with lush tropical forest with its large long rivers. More than half of the country is covered with primary forest. This compares with Singapore which only has a total area of about 600 sq km. Less than quarter of this is covered with mainly secondary forest. Given such well endowed geography in Malaysia, where water seems limitless, there was no need to worry about water. More pressing problems like poverty were given more attention. Over time people becomes complacent with regards to water issues. In Singapore however, water is not only a basic neccessity but a strategic commodity. Singapore is dependent on Malaysia for her water needs since independence. This makes water supply one of the top priority for the Singapore authority. The recent unveiling of the planned Marina Bay Reservoir involves 20 years of planning and engineering involving separating sewage and run-off drainage so that the few rivers that supply the Marina Bay Reservoir are clean enough to be processed for consumption.
However, geography alone cannot explained the whole situation. For many years there were already signs to suggest that demand for water will outstrip supply. Malaysia's population grows at about 2 - 3% annually. Coupled to this, there had been a lower than average annual rainfall. Unfortunately, not many actions were initiated. Although dams were built, these were few and far between. There was no long term campaign water savings. The public is only urged to save water in times of drought; this is quickly forgotten once the drought is over. Contrast this to the island state where water saving campaign is an ongoing long term one. Other than the campaign (carrot), the stick, in the form of water tariff and water tax is also used. Therefore the consumers are always reminded about the need to save water.
Water managment, or the lack of it, is another problem of the Malaysians. There were reports of dams being closed because of silting. Other reports on poor water quality in the rivers feeding the dams. This is a sad state of affairs because this will reduce further the already low water reserves. ln Singapore however, the Marina Bay Reservoir is a testament to a what good water management can do.
The commitment and the forward looking government of the Singapore also plays a role. This may be in part due to the constant need to be less dependant on its neighbour for her water. The Singapore government had invested millions of dollars in its search for an alternative source of water. This had resulted in NEWater and deSal H2O. NEWater is water originated from processed "sewage" and deSal H2O is desalinated sea water. Malaysia is still using cloud seeding in its fight against water shortages.
It is a pity that Malaysia is experiencing water shortages when it is blessed with lush catchment areas. It is hoped that with the frequent water shortages in recent years, these will serve as eye opener to the Malaysian authority so that more urgency and commitment will be placed on the pressing problem of water supply.
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