Khalid denies stopping federal projects in Selangor

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has denied suspending or stopping federal road and infrastructure projects.

He said the state government had not stopped any projects but is only summoning the contractors involved in the expressway projects to discuss the repercussions of the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision which bars local councils from stopping the construction of any structures on expressways.

“We are not stopping development. This is untrue. We do not intend to stop them but the state wanted to know that the process of development approval is given correctly. I do not want to hear of floods following a structure from a federal project being not in line with the structures required by the local councils,” he said in an obvious reference to the flood in Puchong recently.

“I will call them from time to time. I want to know whether the contractors understand the court decision which says the state has no power over the structures built on federal roads. I also want to know whether they agree with the decision.”

The menteri besar said this in a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

It was reported that Khalid in a statement last Thursday in response to the landmark court decision had said it would appeal over the court decision and that the road and federal infrastructure projects will have to be suspended temporarily until the appeal process has been exhausted.

Justice Zaleha Yusof, in making the decision, said the Selangor government does not have jurisdiction on the North-South Expressway (Plus) and the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) as such powers lie with the federal government and the Public Works Department.

She said that even though the land is still state land, but since the highway has been declared as a federal road under the Federal Roads Act, the state government is under a constitutional obligation to ensure compliance and not impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive authority of the federation.

More time for three concessionaire companies

On another matter, Khalid said the state will allow more time to the three other water concessionaire companies to discuss with the shareholders over Selangor’s offer to reacquire the water services in the state.

He said Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holding (Splash) has given a positive response over the acquisition. 

“It seems there is an agreement. But we have to wait as Splash is positive. Give them a chance. This is not cheap as it costs RM9.65 billion. Let them (concessionaires) breathe first. We will give them a chance as they have to ask their shareholders.

“I will update matters from time to time if there is any development,” he said.  

On Wednesday, it was reported that the Selangor government through its state-owned Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) had offered RM9.65 billion to take over the four water concessionaires namely Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd, Konsortium Abass Sdn Bhd (Abbas) and Splash.

Yesterday, sources quoted by KiniBiz said Splash has agreed to the offer.