Putrajaya okays Selangor water asset takeover

The Selangor government can implement water supply restructuring scheme as long as it adheres to the Water Services Industry Act 2006, as well as all water concession agreements and laws in force.

The matter was finalised by the special cabinet committee on Selangor water issues in its meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Aug 2.

According to the committee's secretariat, the decision was in line with the federal government's stand not to get in the state government's way to implement its desired holistic restructuring model.

The secretariat said the implementation of the holistic model, however, would require the state government to take over water concession companies in Selangor.

"Yet, the committee has no plan to interfere with the state government's efforts to take over equity in the concession companies since it is a commercial transaction between the two parties that should be implemented on willing buyer-willing seller basis," the secretariat said in a statement today. 

Nevertheless, the secretariat said the federal government, through the Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), would always be prepared to take over the liability and assets of the water concession companies at any time, the offer which had also been given to other states.

"The committee is also in the opinion that the Selangor government and water concession companies should continue their discussions to finalise the restructuring scheme because the delay has given a big impact on the water services industry in the state," the secretariat said.

On the implementation of the Langat 2 water treatment plant project, the committee had agreed that the tender for the project be offered without waiting for the development from the relevant local authorities.

Until today, the Selangor government had been preventing local authorities from issuing the development order for the project.

Rozali: Don't spread lies about me

Meanwhile, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) executive chairperson Rozali Ismail today called on the Selangor government to stop pointing fingers at other parties, including himself, in relations to the water issues in the state.

He said the state government should discuss with the federal government or the relevant authorities on how to solve the water issues in the state for the benefit of the people. 

Syabas, he said was also prepared to discuss the matter with the Selangor government, federal government or any other relevant parties to resolve the issues.

"Syabas is always concerned with the needs of Selangor people and will always try to ensure that the people affected by water disruption would receive sufficient supply of clean water and we hope the issues can be resolved soon," he said.

Rozali (left), who is the Malay Economic Consultative Council (Mapem) and the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMMS) president, said this after attending a breaking of fast event in Petaling Jaya today. 

Rozali also hoped that the public would not fall for the lies spread by the irresponsible parties against him.

"I hope all quarters will not manipulate the issue concerning my salary paid by Syabas as the court has, in June, decided that it was a defamatory statement made against me and Syabas.

"In this months of Ramadan, let's stop spreading lies. It is important for all quarters to set aside their political sentiments and start thinking about the people who are affected by the deepening water crisis," he said.

On June 6, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara Tony Pua Kiam Wee to pay RM200,000 to Syabas over defamatory statements.

- Bernama