Thursday, December 3, 2015

Singapore's Water Story


The story of Singapore’s genesis as a young nation is often told from the political and economic perspectives. But there is another underlying story that is equally critical to the Singapore story – Water.

In 1965, Singapore did not have any significant fresh water sources nor did she have any natural aquifers and groundwater supplies. All Singapore had were a few fresh water reservoirs that were built by the British. Singapore relied heavily on water piped in from neighboring Johore, Malaysia. Without this lifeline, Singapore would not have enough water for its people.

This sobering fact was clearly demonstrated during World War 2 when the retreating British soldiers blew up the causeway which connected Singapore to Johore, along with critical water pipes, to delay the invading Imperial Japanese Army.

With the water supply cut off, Singapore’s reservoirs then had only enough supplies for about two weeks. The dwindling water supplies would soon become one of the significant contributing factors towards the British surrender to the Japanese.

Lee Kuan Yew recognized how critical water was to Singapore’s survival. At Separation, Lee made sure that the existing water supply agreements were guaranteed by both Governments in the 1965 Separation Agreement and these agreements were also registered with the United Nations.

However, this did not prevent Malaysian politicians from using the water supply as a means influencing and bending Singapore to suit their interests. Lee had been told by the British just days before the Separation that the then Malaysian premier Tunku Abdul Rahman, had remarked ‘if Singapore doesn’t do what I want, I’ll switch off the water supply’. Even later generations of Malaysian leaders would make similar public comments when it suited their agenda.


And it is against this backdrop that Lee Kuan Yew pushed for Singapore to be self-sufficient in its water supply.



Read more here:

Lee Kuan Yew: The architect of Singapore's water story

Vulnerability to Strength: the Singapore Water Story

Forging a greener tomorrow

Lee Kuan Yew - On Sustainability



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