‘Water rationing a political sabotage’

A Kajang councillor questions the rationale of water rationing during the fasting month.

KAJANG: Kajang municipal councillor S Arutchelvan has claimed that the water rationing by Selangor water supplier Syabas during the fasting month is a political sabotage.

“There are four areas in Semenyih involving 10,000 people. This is nothing more than political sabotage meant to anger the people,” he said during a protest staged in front of the Syabas office here this morning.

The four are Taman Hweet Poh, Taman Sri Tanjung, Taman Manikavasagam and Bandar Rinching.

The protest held for about an hour was participated by more than 30 people. It was organised by the Oppressed People’s Network (Jerit).

Issues relating to water distribution became a hot topic last month when Syabas claimed that a water crisis would happen if the Langat 2 dam construction did not take place.

The Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government however rejected the claim as being politically motivated.

Arutchelvan, who is also PSM secretary general, further claimed that the federal government was afraid that Selangor would better manage the water distribution.

“If Selangor (under Pakatan) mismanaged the water distribution, the people can vote them out,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kajang state rep Lee Kim Sin who was also there put the blame squarely on Syabas for mismanaging water distribution.

“We can supply 4,969 million litres per day (mld) and the daily usage is only 4371 mld. Syabas hasn’t set up additional piping facilities from Sungai Labu to supply water in south Selangor,” he said.

He also queried why Syabas is declining Selangor government’s buy out
offer at RM9.3 billion.

“Syabas shareholders will gain a profit of 12 to 13%,” said Lee.