Dr M to highlight unresolved issues with Singapore PM at leaders’ retreat

(NST) – Malaysia and Singapore will hold discussions in a friendly manner on all unresolved issues.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this when asked about issues that will be raised during his meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat here, next week.

This latest edition of the leaders’ retreat was scheduled to take place last November, but was postponed.

“All unresolved things (to be discussed) include water problems, maritime borders and flight over our area on who is going to control it, will be discussed in a friendly manner… But, I believe Singapore understands the need to review the price of water,” said Dr Mahathir after chairing today’s Cabinet meeting.

Relations between the two countries have cooled over disputes over maritime and aerial boundaries, including Dr Mahathir’s view that Malaysia has been charging too little for raw water supplied to the republic.

The two countries have held numerous meetings to resolve these issues.

On whether Malaysia would expect more 1Malaysia Development Bhd – related money from Singapore, Dr Mahathir said such information should come from the republic.

“We have to depend on Singapore’s information regarding money from 1MDB.

“Our job is to receive the money, of course, and to ensure the money comes from 1MDB.

“We cannot accept money that is not ours,” he said.

The Singapore State Courts was reported in September last year to have granted disposal orders in respect of monies that were misappropriated from 1MDB and SRC International.

The monies recovered were in various currencies, totalling RM45.9 million.