Putrajaya blocking Syabas deal, says MB

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has accused the federal government of possibly blocking or giving the state the run around as Putrajaya has a "golden stake" in the company.

Khalid (right) said his administration has been discussing the Syabas takeover with the federal government as the Finance Ministry is holding a golden share in the firm.

"Peter Chin (Water, Energy and Telecommunications Minister) representing the federal government must explain in his letter to me that the Finance Ministry is willing to sell its stake in the restructuring exercise. 

"If this is not done, the restructuring efforts (by the Selangor state) of the water concessionaire company cannot be executed," he said.

"The state has approached Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to make an offer and we were told by them that the Finance Ministry did not approve of the deal (as it has a golden share) in it."

Khalid was asked to comment on Chin'sstatement last week that the Selangor's move to acquire water supply companies in the state does not involve the federal government and that it should talk to the concessionaires instead.

The Selangor menteri besar said the purpose of the state wanting to restructure the water supply, is not to raise water rates but to ensure that the people would not be burdened by rising costs.

Klang MP Charles Santiago, who is an expert in the water deal said the federal government wanted to fudge the state in the deal.

Chin's being insincere

"The state government wants to restructure, but the federal government does not want to do it and that is why they are passing the ball back to the state government.

"Syabas, Splash and PUAS are supposed to discuss with the federal government the restructuring exercise.

"This matter has been raised in parliament many times but they are just keep passing the buck. This shows Chin is not sincere in his statements," he said.

Charles (left) said that it seems the Federal government has its own agenda.

He also disputed Chin's complain that the water in Selangor was cheap as it is the job of any government to ensure water, electricity and education as affordable as possible.

The Klang MP said if the federal government acceded to Syabas request of raising the price of water, it would be higher now then the price of oil.

"It is clear that Chin is not being sincere as he is afraid of Umno politics. As he has decided if he does not contest for a parliament seat he would not be a minister anymore, will not have power.

"He will listen to the deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is now the minister in charge of water," he said.

People have to challenge rolls

On the problem brought up by Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy of his daughter in London who is not a registered voter being registered as one in Semenyih,  Khalid said this is the problem with the electoral roll.

"The Election Commission has also admitted this. It is better that they improve on this weaknesses before the election is called," he said.

Asked whether the state may mount a challenge on the gazetting of electoral rolls, Khalid said the individuals affected can take action against the EC themselves,

The electoral roll in Selangor has been aproblem with claims of phantom voters as highlighted by Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh and Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San.

Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim had suggested that since the rolls cannot be challenged after the amendment to Section 9A of the Election Act, why not mount a judicial review of it,

On the issue of state subsidiary Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd chief executive Wan Ab Halim Wan Ismail's contract not being extended, Khalid said the board of directors had arrived at the decision after an internal investigation.

"I cannot prohibit what is done by the board but ensure that what is done is done in a proper and just way," he said.