DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok wants someone - anyone - to respond to complaints about poor water quality in the Klang Valley. And for his failure to act, she bluntly said Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Mohd Toyo should step down.

Raising the problem with Works Minister S Samy Vellu during question time in the Dewan Rakyat this morning, she asked him to state who is ultimately responsible for addressing water problems plaguing Klang Valley residents.

"Many people have been complaining for a long time. I myself have sent countless e-mails and letters and made many telephone calls to the (Selangor) menteri besar. Throughout the state, pipes are broken or leaking, the water is dirty, and at times there is no supply at all," she said.

"Who has the last say, is it the menteri besar or is it the companies that have taken over the management of water supply as a result of privatisation exercises?"

The Federal Constitution stipulates that land and water, among other resources, fall under the jurisdiction of state governments.

Following the privatisation of almost all public utility bodies, some state governments now buy treated water from private companies.

Frequent problems have resulted in an unprecedented number of consumer complaints throughout the Klang Valley. This has led to the federal government recently announcing its intention to take over water supply at state level.

Complaints 'ignored'

At the Parliament lobby, Kok told reporters that Khir has been ignoring public complaints for far too long.

"Every time he is asked, Khir merely says 'all complaints should be forwarded to the respective complaints bureau'," she alleged.

"If he continues with this irresponsible behavior, then it leaves us with no choice but to call for his resignation."

Kok claimed that consumers in her constituency were even laying the blame on her for the problems they face.

"Some have sent me e-mail messages saying that, if the problem continues, they will not vote for me in the coming general election," she said.

"If the state government can't settle the problem, then perhaps it is time for the Federal government to take over the function of supplying clean water."

Federal move

Earlier, when responding to Kok's questions in the House, Samy Vellu said the federal government wanted to take over state waterworks in order to ensure sustainable and adequate supply of clean water.

The move, he explained, would also standardise water supply practices, tariff structures and costs. However, he said the proposal was not well received in some cases.

"During the (National Water Council) meeting with the Prime Minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad), the states agreed to surrender management of water supply to the federal government. (Later, two states), suddenly reversed the decision."

(It is believed that the PAS-led states of Kelantan and Terengganu are the only two that have not agreed to this proposal.)

Samy Vellu reiterated that the decision would take effect regardless of any "change of heart".

"Reversal or no reversal, we will proceed because we are responsible to the public in ensuring the provision of clean water supply," he said.

(Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat had previously responded to the allegation. In the Aug 21 issue of his party political organ Harakah, he denied that Kelantan had agreed to surrender control of its waterworks.

(He said a working paper presented at the meeting stated that the federal government would only target those states with partial privatisation of their waterworks, and exempt states which have fully privatised the facilities, such as Penang, Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu).

At a press conference later, Samy Vellu said the problem of dirty water and broken or leaking pipes was largely due to the age of the pipes.

"Some of the pipes are between 25 to 40 years old, which is the main reason for the water being dirty and for pipes breaking and leaking. Unless we change the pipes, we will not be in a position to get clean water supply," he said.

Samy Vellu added that state governments could not afford to change the pipes, as the exercise would cost RM2.5 to RM3 billion.

Toll-rate to remain

On another issue, he said there would be no change to toll charges at the Penang Bridge until the Auditor-General completes his report on the financial record of the project.

He said this when answering a question from Chan Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) who asked whether the toll charges would be abolished and if the bridge would be returned to the state government.

"At present, the Federal government has no plans to abolish toll fees and surrender bridge operations to the state government," Samy Vellu said.

"The contract between the state government and the concessionaire stipulates that the concession period ends in October 2010."

The bridge was officially opened on Sept 15, 1998 and its concessionaire is Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd.

Samy Vellu also revealed that, over the past five years, the federal government has had to pay compensation of RM41.7 million to the company.