Big companies siphoning off water illegally at worksites, says SPAN

 

One of the modus operandi identified is direct, illegal tapping from underground main water pipes. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Contractors undertaking large-scale projects have frequently been caught making illegal water connections, says the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

SPAN’s deputy public prosecutor Suhairy Zakaria said these illegal connections were very often buried underground at construction sites, making detection difficult, Bernama reported him as saying.

“One of the modus operandi identified is direct, illegal tapping from underground main pipes, while the legal connection serves merely as a cover.

“The illegal pipes are the ones actually used at the project sites,” he told reporters at the Kota Bharu court complex here today.

He was there to prosecute a Chinese company subsidiary found tapping water illegally for the construction of a luxury condo project. The company, represented by its project manager, was fined RM50,000 for water theft.

According to Suhairy, an average of over 100 cases have been recorded each year, including cases involving mega projects worth tens of millions to billions of ringgit.

“For instance, there was a case involving a project worth RM89 million where an illegal water connection was made in order to maximise profits.

“The culprits (of such cases) not only cause other users to face water supply issues but the theft also leads to major losses for water operators, with some cases amounting to as much as RM500,000 (in losses).”

Suhairy said about 40% of these cases had been brought to court, while the rest of the offenders were imposed heavy compound fines.

To strengthen enforcement action, the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) was amended and gazetted in May this year, increasing the maximum penalty from RM100,000 to RM1 million.

“So far, no new cases have been prosecuted under the amended Act. However, we will take stricter action moving forward,” Suhairy said. - FMT