RSIS Monograph No. 3

Singapore depends upon Johor for about half of its daily supply of portable water. This dependence upon Malaysia for water is perceived in Singapore to compound its vulnerability. Malaysian threats to cut its supply of water to Singapore whenever it has a disagreement with the latter have confirmed Singapore’s worst fears. Is this issue of supply of Johor water the equivalent of the sword of Damocles hanging over Singapore-Malaysia relations? This issue of water in Singapore-Malaysia relations is in large part driven by an increasing demand for water not only in Singapore, but also in Malaysia and the pressure on the supply of water from catchment areas threatened by urbanisation, industrialisation and agriculture.