Staged water shortage filmed in secret in PJ

An advertisement that is allegedly an effort to portray water shortages in Selangor is being filmed in secrecy at an apartment block in Petaling Jaya today.

Although residents of the apartment blocks in Section 17 are aware that the filming is related to the topic of water shortage, none when met had a clear idea about the actual nature of the ad being filmed.

When met at the filming today, the ad’s producers were tight-lipped about details of the television commercial, curtly replying that they had to uphold client confidentiality.

Malaysiakini, who was there following a complaint from a resident on the filming, was also forbidden to enter the filming area or take photographs of the filming.

The producers also expressly forbade Malaysiakini to report on the matter, barring reporters from entering the site and threatening to sue should a story be published.

From Malaysiakini's observations since 7am this morning, roughly 200 residents have been recruited to appear as extras in the filming of the staged water shortage.

One of the scenes seen being shot was a large crowd queueing to receive water from a water supply lorry.

Selangor's alleged water crisis has been a popular catchword in pre-election lobbying in the run up to the 13th general election, expected to be called any time soon.

State water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) has been repeatedly saying that Selangor is facing water shortage, and blaming it on the Pakatan-led state government's refusal to approve the Langat 2 water treatment plant.

However, it has been pointed out that cabinet ministers, in pushing for the plant that is to be only operational in 2014, have inadvertently contradicted Syabas on the matter.

[More to follow]