“I've already said if there is an impasse in negotiations, we will go for arbitration. We have always held on to the view that negotiation is the route that we want to take but since it is over, arbitration is the answer.

“This is not on the insistence of Singapore. We have stated (this) clearly in our negotiations with them. We don't have to inform them that we are going for arbitration. When the time comes, we will prepare our position,” the Foreign Minister said in a briefing to clear the air on

the accusations by Singapore Foreign Minister Shunmugam Jayakumar that Malaysia repeatedly changed its stand in negotiations.

Jayakumar had also said that Singapore was going to agree to arbitration.

There are clauses in the two water agreements providing for any dispute to be referred for arbitration and the laws of Johor State shall apply.

Talks broke down last October after three rounds at ministerial and senior levels. Singapore has refused to discuss Malaysia's demand for a price review after 25 years of signing the 1961 and 1962 water agreements but insisted on discussing water supply beyond 2061.

Syed Hamid said Jayakumar was trying to discredit Malaysia, misinformed Singaporeans and create confusion with Malaysia.

“It was not even presented in overall context of actual situation and negotiations. They take certain statements and said we have said it.

“A lot of statements made by Jayakumar were incomplete and we can't help but to conclude the incompleteness is done with intention.”

Syed Hamid also questioned the integrity of the Singapore media which he said had stooped low to name-calling in the dispute on water.

“I think they stoop so low. People who call names are people from the street,” he said in reaction to a Straits Times report on Wednesday

The article said Syed Hamid was known for his verbal flip-flops and contortions, described as his “Albarisms.”

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