We built MRT, we can solve water woes, says Najib in dig at Selangor gov't

For Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, water woes currently plaguing Selangor would not be a hard task for the federal government to solve, citing Putrajaya's success with the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

At the 46th People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) celebrations in Serdang today, Najib said while the people were free to differ in opinion, democracy should not be used as a reason to "bad mouth" the country, which could lead to a trust deficit.

"We have seen this lately, on social media and certain writings but we believe that these people have (a) certain agenda which is to wrest the country's political power in whatever way possible," he added.

These quarters, said the PM, do not have the capability to do things just like what the federal government has done.

"If we talk about Selangor these past one to two days, what is the problem?

"Water is not a difficult commodity (to handle). If we can come out with the MRT - trains without drivers - why wouldn't we be able to solve water woes," said Najib to loud cheers from some 5,000 Rela personnel present in the hall.

Such problematic scenarios, he added, would occur when there is "too much politics" and when the people are not prioritised.

"As such, I want to say thank you to Rela personnel because I know you believe in the government and that's why we see today a sea of yellow berets and camouflaged uniform," said Najib.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali (photo) yesterday said the Selangor government should not be blamed for the ongoing water disruption across the state.

"If you dare, blame the prime minister. I don't want to blame anyone but on the part of the state government, we have taken all proactive measures to ensure that this (water supply disruptions) does not happen," Azmin said.

Selangor, he said, did not have an issue with inadequate treated water supply but the current situation was beyond its control as it has yet to acquire Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) from the federal government.

Scheduled repair work at the Splash-operated Sungai Selangor Water Supply Scheme Phase 3 (SSP3) earlier this week has caused an ongoing water disruption in some parts of the Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat districts. -Mkini