While most of you were not paying attention, Singapore watched as S$1.47 billion in revenue evaporated right before her eyes.

Not sure what happened? Check out the section below titled, "S'pore vs M'sia: How we lost".

To dull this massive blow, Singaporeans were bombarded with continuous positive news coverage in The Straits Times and Today for three days from from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, 2014, trying to soothe frayed nerves.

Here is a sample of the positive quotes from Singapore's quarters even though we lost:

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Oct. 31:

"It allows us to put this matter behind us. I am happy that Singapore and Malaysia have been able to resolve this dispute in this impartial and amicable way."

"The full and successful implementation of the Points of Agreement (POA) in 2011 has paved the way for joint development projects and closer collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia. These include links in transport connectivity, and trade and investment. I look forward to making progress on them, and working with PM Najib bilaterally, and in Asean, to benefit both countries."

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Former Singapore high commissioner to Malaysia K. Kesavapany told The Straits Times (Nov. 1, 2014):

"At a time when maritime and territorial disputes are on the rise in the region, this is a salutary example of the manner in which such disputes can be resolved."

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Professor Robert Beckman, director of the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore, said he was pleased to read PM Lee's statement (Nov. 1, 2014):

"This shows respect for the rule of law and for independent third-party adjudication and it is a good example for the region as a whole."

"This is how mature and responsible states handle international dispute settlement. They put their cases before a tribunal, accept the results, and move on."

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Alvin Yeo, MP and member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, felt the outcome was "proof that the consensual approach to resolving differences in views can result in a 'win-win' situation." (Nov. 1, 2014):

"Any loss of revenue from the development charge would be more than made up (for) by not just the higher share of profits accrue to the Singapore side, but from the friendly relationship which is vital for any partnership to succeed."

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Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam said (Nov. 3, 2014):

"The process, and the way we did it, is the right way to do these things."

"We have developments now, joint ventures in Iskandar, and they have (projects) here, all being done together. It encourages people-to-people movement, more commercial activities."

"The two countries (are) such close neighbours, we have to find sensible ways of moving forward."

So why should the loss feel so bad for Singapore? Because we picked the shorter end of the stick and then tried to rationalise that it is no big deal.

Here is what Singapore could have bought with S$1.47 billion:

The contract awarded to lay the foundations for Changi Airport's Terminal 5 is worth $1 billion.

Or we could have built another National Stadium. The Sports Hub in Kallang was built at a cost of S$1.8 billion.

What made it even more vexing for Singapore to lose is that the majority stake of the M+S company is held by Malaysia and they admitted even if they paid the levy, the agreement was "a sweet deal" .

This is mostly because a new company, M+S, that was formed to develop the Marina South and Ophir-Rochor parcels has Malaysia’s Khazanah Nasional holding a 60 percent majority stake, while Singapore’s Temasek Holdings holds a minority 40 percent stake.

From ST, Nov. 2, 2014:

The three-member panel disclosed that Singapore had sought a levy of $1.47 billion, in keeping with its practice of imposing such charges when permission is given to develop land that appreciates in value. A 2008 valuation had put the value of these three plots at $2.8 billion altogether.

These plots, and three others in Bukit Timah, were swopped for six new land parcels in downtown Singapore in 2010, which are now being jointly developed by M+S.

But the tribunal also noted that during a hearing in July this year, Malaysian witness Nor Mohamed Yakcop had conceded that even with the charge, the agreement was "a sweet deal" for Malaysia.

"Equally we believe that the deal will have proved advantageous for Singapore even if we conclude that development charge is not payable," the tribunal said.

The charge is imposed on the enhancement in land value, and Malaysia disagreed with Singapore that it had to be paid on these plots.

And to top it off, Malaysia appeared as gracious winners:

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman told ST (Nov. 1, 2014): "The understanding between both prime ministers is very good... We believe this is the way forward in dealing with disputes."

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