“They can put out as many documents as they like. Not everything they say is the gospel truth.

“Facts (that are) not fully represented do not necessarily represent the true situation,” Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.

Malaysia, he said, would not respond to Singapore’s blaming game but instead would look at the two water agreements signed in 1961 and 1962 to explore what actions and laws were applicable before deciding on the next course of action.

“We will look at the agreements again to see what is the status, actions and laws applicable,” he told reporters here yesterday after receiving 600 copies of a souvenir book for Non-Aligned Movement summit participants.

The book is a compilation of opinions on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad entitled Kecemerlangan di Sebalik Perjuangan yang Belum Selesai.

Talks on water supply to Singapore broke down last year after three rounds of talks at ministerial and senior officials levels. Singapore refused to discuss Malaysia’s demand for a price review after 25 years of the signing of the agreements, but insisted on discussing water supply beyond year 2061.

The 1961 agreement lapses in 2011 and the 1962 agreement in 2061.

“The 1962 agreement will not be extended, (so) there is nothing to discuss. The only thing in dispute now is the price of water,” he added.

Syed Hamid said despite major differences between the two countries on the water issue, both parties must look at it in a transparent way rather that misrepresenting and quoting out of context.

He also said it was not Malaysia’s way to publicise correspondences between leaders.

“When we write letters, we write in confidence. I am not surprised (with Singapore’s move). We have all the time acted in good faith.”

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