Two non-government organisations (NGOs) hope that restructuring of the Selangor water industry can proceed for the sake of consumers and the state's economy after a series of talks since 2008 did not bear fruit due to political differences.     

President of Water Association of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (SWAn), Aldric Loong Kim Yew said the Selangor government consent to the federal government takeover of four water concessionaires under Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (WSIA) was like light at the end of the tunnel.     

However, he said Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), one of the water concessionaires, lamented the lack of explanation on the matter.     

No details were given on how the takeover would proceed, what would be the procedure and how long it would take to complete the restructuring process.     

Loong said this at a press conference after today's roundtable meeting on the 'Criticalness Of Current Water Supply in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya' attended by representives from Syabas, Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Selangor Branch, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia (Rehda) and the Consumers Association of Subang & Shah Alam Selangor (Cassa).     

"I think there will be legal matters related to the existing contracts. If the federal government really wants to proceed there should be a formal discussion between the water operators and the federal government."     

The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, the Water Asset Management Company (PAAB) and National Water Services Commission (Span) should also help to solve the water restructuring.     

'Let Khalid do his job'

However, Cassa president Jacob George claimed the Selangor government was not helpful in finalising the deal since six years ago as it always brought new issues on the negotiation table although ongoing issues had not been ironed out.     

Even now, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is politicising the issue and criticising Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for letting the federal government take over the concessionaires under Section 114 of WSIA.     

George said several party leaders did not realise that whatever political manoeuvring they were doing would hurt the residential and industrial consumers.     

"It's high time for PKR and others to step aside. Let Abdul Khalid who got the mandate from the people and the Sultan move forward. Why sabotage him?     

He said the federal and Selangor government should act fast as the state  was not moving forward due to lack of water supply for consumers, industries and  potential investors who want to invest in Malaysia's most developed state.     

SWAn and Cassa agreed that Langat 2 project is the best solution to increase the supply of treated water to consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya as the framework is already in place and the tunnel to channel raw water from Pahang to Selangor has been completed.     

Meanwhile, Syabas chief operating officer Lee Miang Koi told participants that there is cause for worry as several dams in Selangor like Klang Gate was only 60 percent filled as at December last year.     

He said the supply of raw water in the dams is expected to drop in the coming months with the arrival of the dry spell until the middle of the year.     

The below one percent treated water reserve in the Klang Valley at the moment and the low water reserve contributed to frequent water interruptions and slow recovery of water supply after interruptions.     

- Bernama