Selangor press on with water services overhaul

Khalid said the revamp was needed to keep water rates reasonable. — File pic

SHAH ALAM, June 12 — The Selangor government will continue with restructuring of the water services industry, a move that will revoke the agreement under the Water Services Industry Act 2006.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the restructuring will proceed despite objection from the federal government and water concessionaire including Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).

“The restructuring is necessary to keep the tariff reasonable and ensure that water services are managed in a holistic manner,” he told reporters after attending the Selangor Water Forum here today.

The Selangor government will use several approaches including tapping groundwater resources to balance the  water supply needs of consumers.

Khalid said the Selangor government would also increase water tariffs once every three years and of no more than 12 per cent.

On the absence of Syabas representatives at the forum, he said this firm was not invited as the company is suing the Selangor government.

Syabas had filed an originating summons against the Selangor government and demanded RM471,642.916 compensation for failing to agree to a hike in water tariff. — Bernama