This essay argues that Singapore’s endeavours to loosen its dependence on Malaysian for water have been successful. It holds to the position that the water issue in Malaysia–Singapore relations should no longer be perceived as a hard security matter, requiring the use of military force to ensure that the water from Malaysia, as contracted, continues to  ow to Singapore. Diplomacy and political action would su ce to address any deliberate interruption of the supply. Yet, apart from undercutting the need for Singapore to respond militarily to any hostile and intentional dis-ruption of the water  ow, the city-state’s policies and encouragement of private enterprise to develop the thriving local water industry since the 2000s have also enhanced the capacity of the state and society to cope with the prospective trauma or strains generated by a severe disruptive change to the status quo.  e policies and programmes, in other words, have hardened the resilience of Singapore and Singaporeans to any politically-induced water crisis.

Philip Yeo has largely been associated with the Economic Development Board (EDB). Few people, however, know that I actually began my career with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). In this, I am very fortunate to have worked with Dr Goh Keng Swee, the man who built the economy and the defence capability of Singapore. Indeed, it all started with Dr Goh. A tribute by the Defence Science Organisation (DSO) in 2002 describes him accurately as the architect, engineer and hand-raftsman of modern Singapore. He transformed Singapore of the 1960s into today’s gleaming, ultra-modern capital of industry, finance, commerce and communications. But Dr Goh also felt that economic confidence and progress were built on a nation’s ability to provide security and defence for its people. He projected that future outcomes would depend on the capability of a national service (NS) force, well-trained and equipped with the most advanced technology of the day. Starting from scratch, Dr Goh built an army, navy and air force capable of achieving national security and deterring a wide range of threats.

https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/scdf-library/publications/publications/everyday-guardians.pdf