SHAH ALAM: Two ministers, addressing a forum on Selangor water supply issues, said it is pointless to quibble over “post-Langat 2” tariff now when a real crisis of inadequate supply looms.
Maintaining that the tariff, upon the completion of Langat 2 water treatment plant, would be negotiable and not burden the people, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said: “We should not discuss about water tariff at the moment. We can negotiate about the tariff later. We must build Langat 2 first. If there is no water supply, it is useless to discuss about tariff."
He said this in his closing speech at a forum organised by the ministry at the Grand Bluewave Hotel here yesterday.
Chin's sentiment was shared by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, who said the state government should stop pitching theories on finding alternative water sources and scaring the people about tariff hike if the Langat 2 plant were to proceed.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar answering questions after the forum on Selangor water supply issues at Grand Bluewave Hotel in Shah Alam yesterday. Pic by Adib Rawi Yahya
Tariff hikes
Selangor, ruled by Parti Keadilan Rakyat and its allies, is not in favour of Langat 2, citing tariff hike fears, among others.
Langat 2 can ensure adequate treated water supply in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until 2030.
According to the latest supply and demand projection, water reserve will be in a deficit situation as early as next year.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi said Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were already experiencing water shortages.
He said although most people continued to enjoy uninterrupted water supply, the current demand exceeded the capacity as of May 17.
"Water shortage has begun since May 17 and this is expected to continue. Up to July 8, about one million people have been affected."
As anxiety deepens over the stalled tactics of the state government, Chin said Langat 2 should not be linked to Selangor's water industry restructuring negotiation.
Noh, meanwhile, urged the state government to start looking at the issue practically.
"The state government objected to the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant by bringing up matters that can be discussed later.
"They are talking about water tariff. But if there is no water supply, what is there to discuss?
"Whatever it is, the plant must be built first. When the plant is built, we can discuss about water tariff.
"Believe me when I say that whoever governs Selangor will not want to burden the people. If Barisan Nasional takes over, we will not burden the people," he said when met after the forum.
Noh said the state had done little to mitigate the impending water crisis and its decision to block Langat 2 would inconvenience the people and affect Selangor's investments, which in turn, would affect development and the number of job openings in the state.
"Langat 2 has to proceed and it is not to benefit any corporation.
"The most important thing is that the people will have water supply. Don't politicise this issue."
Earlier, in her opening speech at the forum, Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon said the people of Selangor had not realised the gravity of the situation as most of them were still enjoying uninterrupted water supply.
"This is because the Federal Government has carried out mitigation plans earlier and increased water capacity in the Klang Valley, especially in Selangor."
She said the Federal Government had spent RM600 million for mitigation efforts, including RM200 million to build the Sungai Labu treatment plant and RM170 million to maintain pipes in the state.
NST
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