MCA: Selangor will dry up in two weeks without rain

MCA today said experts that the party had consulted have corroborated that Selangor was indeed facing serious water shortages which would become critical within two months.

“They said the water reserve now is only within 2-3 percent in all water treatment plants. In normal circumstances, it should hold at least 20 percent to cater for the dry season. In other words, if there is no rain for a week or two, all of us will be in trouble.

“They predicted that by the end of probably two months, the situation will become critical,” said MCA president Chua Soi Lek (right) after chairing the party’s presidential council meeting at its Kuala Lumpur headquarters this afternoon.

He added that the critical areas are Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Petaling and Hulu Langat.

However, Chua declined to reveal the identities of the experts, stating that some of them were from the state government and private sector and had requested for anonymity.

Chua said the experts had briefed MCA that almost all 34 water treatment plant in the state were overworked and there had been no significant capital expenditure by the state government to upgrade existing plants. 

“We urge Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor not to play politics with the water issue as it will affect seven to eight million people and affect the social and ecnomic development of Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

He added that MCA supported any efforts to address the water problem including the construction of the RM8.65 billion Langat 2 water treatment plant inclusive of piping and transfer cost.

The controversyfirst broke outwhen Syabas on July 14 announced its plan for water rationing in certain parts of Selangor. This prompted the state government to accuse the federal government of manufacturing a crisis putting the two at loggerheads.

The federal government has since stepped in with a special cabinet committee on the matter and subsequently said there was “no need” for rationing at this time.