DAP's state assemblyperson for Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin, today described the water deal between the state government and federal government as done "inside a black box", as Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim faced a barrage of questions on the water deal in the state assembly today.
Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) started the debate by tabling a motion to postpone the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant, but Yeo and Azmin Ali (PKR- Bukit Antarabangsa) soon joined the fray.
Yeo (right) interjected during Khalid's speech and said "the negotiation is as though it’s happening in a black box." However he quickly cut her off.
Azmin meanwhile asked Khalid to explain the clause involving the construction of Langat 2 in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for water restructuring, which he said was legally binding and irrevocable.
Lau asked Khalid to explain if the state was prepared, should the water concessionaires legally challenge Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) in order to prevent a takeover.
Khalid stressed that he is responsible for making decisions in discussing the water restructuring and Langat 2 construction.
"I cannot be a middleman, (to take the details) and then come back to the state assembly to discuss," he said, referring to his past record in investment and company takeovers in helping him make decisions.
Similarly, he said, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Ongkili is responsible to the cabinet, like how Khalid is answerable to the state assembly.
"I am responsible to face you all, and the minister will face the cabinet," he said.
Tense moment
However, there was a tense moment as Yeo was shot down by Khalid as she attempted to interject again by saying "with due respect."
"Actually you don't have any respect when you use the term ‘with due respect’," he said.
Khalid stressed that the construction of Langat 2 still needs state approval even though that part is not mentioned in the MOU.
"After signing the MOU, the federal government followed up with the state government to have an agreement called the heads of agreement," he said.
"They asked the state to give permission to acquire land for Langat 2. Which means they know that they need state approval for Langat 2, even though it is not mentioned in the MOU," he said.
He also said that the state is working together with the federal government to ensure that the water concessionaires accept the takeover offer and avoid the matter being challenged by them.
Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) started the debate by tabling a motion to postpone the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant, but Yeo and Azmin Ali (PKR- Bukit Antarabangsa) soon joined the fray.
Yeo (right) interjected during Khalid's speech and said "the negotiation is as though it’s happening in a black box." However he quickly cut her off.Azmin meanwhile asked Khalid to explain the clause involving the construction of Langat 2 in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for water restructuring, which he said was legally binding and irrevocable.
Lau asked Khalid to explain if the state was prepared, should the water concessionaires legally challenge Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) in order to prevent a takeover.
Khalid stressed that he is responsible for making decisions in discussing the water restructuring and Langat 2 construction.
"I cannot be a middleman, (to take the details) and then come back to the state assembly to discuss," he said, referring to his past record in investment and company takeovers in helping him make decisions.
Similarly, he said, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Ongkili is responsible to the cabinet, like how Khalid is answerable to the state assembly.
"I am responsible to face you all, and the minister will face the cabinet," he said.
Tense moment
However, there was a tense moment as Yeo was shot down by Khalid as she attempted to interject again by saying "with due respect."
"Actually you don't have any respect when you use the term ‘with due respect’," he said.Khalid stressed that the construction of Langat 2 still needs state approval even though that part is not mentioned in the MOU.
"After signing the MOU, the federal government followed up with the state government to have an agreement called the heads of agreement," he said.
"They asked the state to give permission to acquire land for Langat 2. Which means they know that they need state approval for Langat 2, even though it is not mentioned in the MOU," he said.
He also said that the state is working together with the federal government to ensure that the water concessionaires accept the takeover offer and avoid the matter being challenged by them.
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