COMMENT | Malaysia and Singapore have been locked in a culinary showdown over nasi lemak, each claiming their version reigns supreme. But beneath this entertaining gastronomic rivalry a bigger battle rumbles away: one over water.

The city-state’s water scarcity issues force it to rely on imported water for a large part of its day-to-day supply.

Singapore’s water agreements with Malaysia date back to 1927 and have been vital but contentious. Under the agreement, active until 2061, Singapore pays Malaysia for the right to draw over 960 million litres of water per day from the Johor River.

But since the early 2000s, Malaysia and Singapore have been at odds over the fairness of the agreement...