Visual Narratives of Singapore-Johor Relations Through the 1961 and 1962 Water Agreement

The issue of the Water Agreement between Johor and Singapore has been widely focused among scholars, both in the country and abroad. Various approaches have been used to analyze this issue, including historical perspectives, politics, international affairs, news, academic articles, government policies, and other documentation sources. However, the visual dimension that plays an important role in analyzing power tensions and diplomatic relations related to the 1961 and 1962 Water Treaty is often neglected, even though it has great potential to provide a deeper perspective on this issue. This research focuses on three main videos, namely Singapore lays pipes to draw water from Johor, Johor River Waterworks opens, and Lee Kuan Yew visits Johor water plant in 1963, which were produced in the 1960s. These videos were analyzed as important media, serving not only as historical documentation but also as tools of cultural diplomacy that shape national identity and cross-border relations. Although these videos were produced before the formation of Malaysia, the analysis shows that the visual narrative remains relevant to understanding diplomatic relations and the strategic management of water resources to this day. By using hydro-hegemony, soft power, and visual hermeneutics theory in visual analysis, this article examines how symbolic representation in these videos is used to build a narrative of technological progress, diplomacy, and sustainability. Clearly, these videos not only reflect the diplomatic relationship between Singapore and Johor, but also offer a new perspective on the role of media art in shaping Malaysia and Singapore’s wider diplomatic narrative. This article proposes a more balanced approach in the use of media arts to promote sustainable and inclusive regional cooperation in strategic resource management.