RM2.7 million water theft: Glove factory under probe

The factory paid only RM4,000 a month compared with RM50,000 a month, based on Air Selangor estimates.

PORT KLANG: A glove factory here, which had been raided by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) today, is suspected of illegally siphoning water amounting to RM2.7 million.

SPAN corporate communications and consumer affairs unit senior executive Loh Pit Mui said the raid was conducted after receiving a complaint from Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) on alleged water theft by the factory.

She said the enforcement operation found the factory, which has been operating for 25 years, made two illegal connections directly from an Air Selangor main without going through the water meter.

“The supply siphoned from the connections was believed to be used for the factory’s operation.

“A chlorine test conducted at the site confirmed the water supply channelled into the premises was treated water,” she told reporters during the operation here today.

She said the offence was committed under Section 123(1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 and SPAN would be carrying out further investigations.

Meanwhile, Air Selangor corporate communications head Amin Lin Abdullah said the company began detecting illegal activities when it found the factory paid only RM4,000 a month compared with RM50,000 a month based on Air Selangor estimates.

“Investigations found the factory has a water supply account with Air Selangor and as a result of the illegal activities, we suffered losses of about RM2.7 million for 1.2 million cubic metres of water.”

The connection to the Syabas main pipe is 20 metres long, he said.

He said Air Selangor would be conducting further investigations on the extent of the factory’s illegal water activities. -FMT