Since 2001, Hulu Langat residents have had to put up with problems linked to water supply. Today, PAS took their complaints to Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Party leaders Husam Musa and Dr Shafie Abu Bakar submitted a memorandum at the menteri besar's office in Shah Alam, questioning the lack of response from Perbadanan Urus Air Selangor Bhd (Puas).

Husam, who is the Kubang Kerian MP, told malaysiakini that the party had received an overwhelming number of complaints from residents.

"I was instructed by (PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang) to refer the problem to the Selangor mentri besar. So today, (Kajang state assemblyman) Dr Shafie and I submitted the memorandum," he said.

As they were unable to meet Mohd Khir, they handed the document to his private secretary Mohd Yusuf Shafie.

"It is time for the menteri besar to step in because Puas has yet to rectify the situation. This is despite the numerous memoranda and appeals that Dr Shafie has submitted to Puas over the past few years," Husam claimed.

Puas denies inaction

The memorandum identified the affected areas as Rinching, Bandar Tasik Kesuma, Bandar Teknologi, Semenyih, Bukit Baru Kajang, Kajang Mewah, Taman Asa Jaya, Cheras Perdana, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Taman Taming Jaya, Taman Maju Jaya and Bandar Baru Bangi.

"It is ironic that these areas are facing water-supply problems when Hulu Langat is a major catchment area. Furthermore, the problems have worsened after Puas took over water-supply management from Selangor Waterworks in 2002," the memorandum said.

"Puas receives clean water supply from several companies including Puncak Niaga, Splash and Abas. Yet the quality of water has dropped and other problems have arisen. The water cuts have worsened with the mushrooming of housing projects in these areas."

Apart from complaining about frequent water cuts, residents have also expressed dissatisfaction over dirty supply, broken pipes and double billings. Many have reportedly had to wake up at dawn to wait for water tankers over the past year.

The memorandum also attributed the situation to over-development, in particular in Rinching which is described as the worst affected area.

"If water supply is insufficient, then why did the local authority approve additional housing development in Rinching?" PAS asked.

It also expressed doubt that Mohd Khir's recent visit to the area would solve anything when nothing has been said about replacing the smaller water pipes with bigger ones to increase supply.

A Puas official contacted by malaysiakini today denied that the company had failed to act on complaints, saying that it had identified the problems.

"We held a press conference yesterday, which the mentri besar attended. He had visited the affected areas and the people on Sunday. During the conference, we explained the steps being taken to improve water supply," he said.

He added that the problems will be resolved as soon as the water pump station in Wangsa Maju begins operations in March. This will enable water to be pumped from Sungai Selangor to the affected areas by year's end.

Utusan Malaysia today reported that among the steps to be taken will be the laying of connecting pipes costing RM4 million in Semenyih.