Kelantan water quality much better than some states, says Nik Aziz

By G Manimaran
Bahasa Malaysia Editor

November 21, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 – The quality of treated water in Kelantan is better compared to four other states in Malaysia, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said today.

Blaming Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia for “lying” about the state’s water quality, the Kelantan Mentri Besar alleged the issue was being raised to divert public attention from Umno’s latest scandal – the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) involving a senior minister’s family.

Nik Aziz (picture) cited a letter dated October 30 sent by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) to the office of state water supplier Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB), informing them that Kelantan had been listed together as having a “less than satisfactory” water quality.

The listing was based on a report prepared by the Ministry of Health from January till July/August this year.

“The states which showed a less than satisfactory performance was Kelantan, Pahang , Labuan, Perak and Perlis.

“Based on the report, e-coli levels in treated water provided by AKSB was 0.88 per cent, lower compared to Pahang (1.12 per cent), Perak (0.90 per cent), Perlis (1.21 per cent) and Labuan (1.01 per cent),” Nik Aziz said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.

“It is clear that the news report is an attempt to use the Kelantan water issue to cleanse RM250 million worth of cow dung. It is a lie to make the state government look bad,” added the Kelantan MB, referring to the on-going NFC scandal.

Utusan had carried a report yesterday titled “Air Kelantan terkotor?” (Kelantan water dirtiest?). The report claimed Kelantan had very poor water quality.

“I did not want to comment on the matter at first, because it is well known that Mingguan Malaysia is an irresponsible newspaper which goes against basic ethics of journalism,” he said.

The PAS spiritual leader however added that he has now directed state housing, utilities and nature committee chairman Datuk Mejar (B) Anizam Abd Rahman to issue a proper statement on the matter.

“I am also surprised when Utusan says its information is based on the Malaysian Water Industry Guide 2011 when the official data has not even been released yet,” Nik Aziz said.