Malaysia plans to tap low-cost, long-term debts to fund the $13 billion needed to improve water supply to meet swelling demand, a minister said. After years of under-investment in the sector, Malaysia proposed to spend up to 50 billion ringgit ($13 billion) over the next 10 years to replace old, leaky pipes and build new dams and treatment plants. Water Minister Lim Keng Yaik said the government, through its 100 percent-owned water assets firm, would develop these projects and lease them to water utility firms at low rates. Speaking to reporters, Lim said financing would not come from the national budget but through long-term debts. Malaysia is already running a budget deficit.