KDEB explains Selangor gov't stake in Syabas

(Bernama) -- Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB), the investment arm of the Selangor government, said today the Selangor government only had a minority share limited to board representation in Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).

Its president, Suhaimi Kamaralzaman, said the state government only owned 30 per cent equity and had two directors in Syabas.

He said Syabas was still the key player in handling the operations and maintenance of water facilities.

"The day-to-day operations and maintenance of the water facilities are carried out by the management of Syabas who are appointed by the majority shareholder of Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad," he said in a statement to Bernama.

Suhaimi was referring to comments made by Universiti Utara Malaysia academician and senior lecturer Dr Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri on Saturday.

Ahmad Zaharudin Sani had said that under the Selangor water concessionaire agreement, river cleaning and water catchment, giving approval to operators of water treatment or supply for construction of new pump stations and upgrading plants and pump stations were under the jurisdiction of the state government.

Suhaimi said the State Water Monitoring Committee (SWMC), chaired by the Selangor state secretary, had been monitoring Syabas, particularly its action and recovery plans, on a daily basis.

"KDEB representatives, who are also members of the SWMC, are responsible for constant liaison with the Syabas management to ensure that all action plans are implemented expeditiously and efficiently," he said.