WHAT A LIAR IS NAJIB! Investors deserting Selangor - PM

WATER CRISIS- 430 projects postponed due to state government's recalcitrance

KUALA LUMPUR: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says investors are turning away from Selangor, regarded as the country's most developed state, following the water supply crisis.

"There are 430 projects that have been postponed because of the water supply problem and this is a setback involving billions of ringgit.

"Many will not invest in the state, and they are turning to Johor, Pahang and Negri Sembilan.

"This is a loss for Selangor, and this situation must not continue," he told a crowd of almost 10,000 at the launch of the second round of distribution for the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M).

Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, criticised the Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led state government for going against certain agreements related to water supply infrastructure.

"We will try to solve the problem but the easiest way is that when the time comes for elections, the people must decide, and then we (BN) can solve it.

"We must not lengah-lengah (delay) any longer."

Up to half a million people in at least 90 areas in the Klang Valley and Selangor were affected by the water supply crisis last month.

There were scenes of dry taps and long lines of residents queuing around mobile water tanks.

Experts had earlier said Selangor would face a major water supply crisis by next year.

Plans to overcome the matter hit a snag following the state government's refusal to allow for the development order for the Langat 2 water treatment plant and other pump stations.

Najib said other opposition-held states, such as Penang and Kedah, did not experience water disruptions because both states had adhered to agreements involving the Federal Government, which addressed issues of water supply.

He said it was ultimately better if "the federal and state governments are from the same party".

Najib yesterday announced a RM120 million additional allocation for Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to resolve the water problem.

The RM120 million was on top of the RM606 million allocated to Syabas earlier.

"If not for the Federal Government's allocation of RM606 million to Syabas, the water problem in Selangor would have been worse.

"We don't want the people of Selangor to continue being victims and, therefore, the government has agreed to give the additional allocation of RM120 million." Additional reporting by Punitha Kumar

- New Straits Times