Langat 2 to go ahead without Selangor's approval

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today reiterated that the federal government will go ahead with the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant Project (Langat 2) even without the Selangor
government's approval.

"The federal government says, approved or not approved we have already offered tenders for contract to build Langat 2... In a month or two, we will go ahead with Langat 2 for the benefit of the people and not for the menteri besar or opposition," he said in his speech at the 1Malaysia People Friendly programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Dr Abdul Latiff in Sabak Bernam today. 

The Langat 2 project has already seen a 40.55 percent delay or about 29 months behind schedule due to the opposition-led Selangor government's refusal to approve the project.

He said the federal government was determined to offset the impending water crisis in the Klang Valley and certain parts of Selangor, but without the state government's approval to build the Langat 2 project, the problem could not be overcome.

According to the initial plan, the project which was part of a Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project would be carried out in two phases, involving 23 packages in each phase.

Langat 2 would treat 1.89 billion litres of raw water to cater for water demands in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until 2025.

Muhyiddin said to cater for the increasing demand a number of water treatment plants in Selangor were operating round the clock without stopping and reached their 100 percent capacity.

As for efforts by the Selangor government to take over the management of water in the state from four concessionaires, Muhyiddin said the federal government had no objection to such efforts as long it was done according to the law and procedures.

The deputy prime minister stressed that such a takeover must be done through proper discussions and procedures.

The four concessionaires are Syarikat Pengeluar Air Berhad, Konsortium Abbas, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor and Puncak Niaga. 

Closed-door meeting with division leaders

Meanwhile, during the programme Muhyiddin announced that a new district education office would be build in Sabak Bernam as part of the Education Blueprint initiative to upgrade the education system in the country.

He also announced an allocation of RM3.65 million to carry out development projects in the Sabak Bernam district, including the building of 30 new houses, a surau at Sekolah Kebangsaan Dr Abdul Latiff plus upgrading other public facilities in Sabak Bernam. 

Earlier, Muhyiddin arrived at the Sabak Bernam District Police Headquarters to start his visit to the district and attended a similar 1Malaysia People Friendly programme before having a closed-door meeting with Sabak Bernam and Sungai Besar Umno division leaders.

Muhyiddin also had breakfast with Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Noh Omar, Selangor BN coordinator Mohd Zin Mohamed and other leaders after visiting the morning market in the Sabak Bernam town.

During his walkabout at the market, he also gave out Petty Traders 1Malaysia Insurance Plan (P1MPIN) brochures. 

Some 200 hawkers and petty traders at the morning market were offered the P1MPIN plan and those who registered will get RM5,000 in the event of natural death, death, or permanent disability due to accident.

Participants can also claim up RM1,000 a year for medical expenses in the event of an accident and family members will get RM1,500 for funeral expenses.

All hawkers and petty traders registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) are eligible to register for the free insurance plan.

Fruit seller Foo Kok Chin, 48, who was among those who received the brochure from Muhyiddin said the free insurance plan will offer extra protection to his wife and two children although he already had a life policy.

"I consider this noble initiative by the government as an additional protection for me and my family," he said.

- Bernama