The Johor state government is making a massive RM5 billion (S$1.5 billion) investment in water infrastructure to eliminate Malaysia's dependence on Singapore for treated water within the next five years. This ambitious plan aims to secure Johor's long-term water supply while supporting rapid industrial growth.

According to Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, chairman of Johor's Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee, the project involves constructing three major reservoirs along the basins of Sungai Johor, Sungai Pontian and Sungai Sedili. These will be complemented by three new water treatment plants with a combined daily capacity of 890 million litres (MLD).

"This expansion will increase Johor's treated water production capacity by 41%, reaching 3,061 MLD," Fazli explained. The reservoirs will receive federal funding while the treatment plants will be financed by the state government through Ranhill SAJ, Johor's water operator.

The initiative comes as Johor prepares for significant economic expansion through the JS-SEZ (Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone) and accommodates growing demand from data centers. "Our target is complete independence from Singapore's treated water supply after 2030," Fazli told The Straits Times.

Recent approvals for 17 new data centers - requiring nearly 60 MLD of treated water - highlight urgent infrastructure needs. Lee Ting Han, chairman of Johor Investment and Consumer Affairs Committee projects up to 30 data centers may operate in the state by decade's end.

Current arrangements see Johor importing about 16 million gallons daily from Singapore - over three times the contractual minimum under the historic 1962 agreement. While significantly cheaper than local production costs (RM0.11 vs RM1.80 per cubic metre), Malaysian officials emphasize strategic autonomy concerns.

"Maintaining cost benefits makes sense short-term," acknowledged Deputy Energy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir last December."But achieving self-sufficiency must precede any future policy shifts regarding cross-border resources."

The comprehensive infrastructure push positions Malaysia’s southern powerhouse region for sustainable development while redefining its century-old hydrological relationship with neighboring Singapore.