Heads must roll in Selangor if there are water disruptions, says DAP

Selangor residents must brace for another round of water rationing during a prolonged dry season. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 27, 2014.

Heads must roll in Selangor after water concessionaire Syabas warned of possible water disruptions, which could affect more than 150,000 households, a DAP lawmaker said.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said Syabas' warning of water disruption because of low levels of raw water in Sungai Selangor was unacceptable.

"It was just 10 days ago that the Selangor government guaranteed that there would be no need for water rationing during the dry season," Pua said in a statement.

On June 11, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said there were no plans to ration water to more than seven million consumers in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

He was confident that despite a prolonged dry spell this month, the state government would be able to provide sufficient raw water for its treatment plants.

This was via a plan to store excess water from Sungai Selangor and Sungai Tinggi into nine disused mining ponds in Bestari Jaya and Serendah.

Pua added that Selangor exco member for youth and sports, infrastructure and public utilities, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi had said Selangor had sufficient water to last for four to five months.

Ahmad Yunus had said based on water levels at retention ponds and dams, Selangor was guaranteeing that water rationing would not take place.

"Over the past week alone, even before El Nino began, various parts of Selangor have been hit by water disruptions," Pua said.

"The hardest hit areas have included Balakong and Bangi. This is a shocking and unacceptable development.

"Residents in Selangor have every right to be angry and worried about the deteriorating situation which could possibly culminate in another round of water rationing," he said.

Pua said they had already endured two months of water rationing which began at the end of February.

"At that time, it was excusable as all were taken by surprise by the unexpected dry weather," Pua said.

"But there are no excuses this time as everyone was fully aware of the seasonal dry weather which will be exacerbated by El Nino."

Pua said the authorities had no valid reasons for the lack of preparation or contingency plans to meet the challenges of low water supply.

"The water disruptions coming so soon after the state government's guarantee exposes a lack of seriousness in tackling the issue and sheer incompetence by the authorities.

"Such degree of incompetence cannot be tolerated as it has embarrassed Khalid and damaged Pakatan Rakyat's credibility."

- TMI