Kit Siang: Are there murky motives behind special water bill sitting?
Nurul Nazirin and Beh Lih YiPublished: Jan 12, 2005 5:43 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang today questioned if there are any hidden agendas behind the special Parliamentary meeting called to debate the Constitution Amendment Bill 2004 on water privatisation.
The special Parliamentary sitting called to debate water privatisation has raised eyebrows among certain quarters, but a government minister insists that its necessary.
Parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang today questioned if there are any hidden agendas behind the special Parliamentary meeting called to debate the Constitution Amendment Bill 2004 on water privatisation.
The veteran politician told malaysiakini that he does not see the need for the urgency, adding that the recent Tsunami disaster which claimed more than 100,000 lives should take precedence instead.
"Why can't we wait for another two months? Unless there is a special interest involved for the private companies that may benefit from this water privatisation plan?" he asked, referring to the commencement of Parliamentary sittings in March.
The three-day special sitting will begin on Jan 17.
Lim said a special Parliament sitting should be held to discuss urgent matters and of special purposes.
"Maybe there is a certain party that feels this matter has been held up for too long and affected the company. Otherwise, I don't see the need of an emergency or time constraints to pass the bill," he added.
Essential issue
However, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz insists that the sitting is necessary as water is an essential issue.
"It is necessary to have this special sitting. There is a need to transfer (the powers) from state to government..." he said when contacted.
The minister, who oversees parliamentary affairs, said water is essential to the people and therefore the Parliament must look into it immediately.
On the sitting, Nazri said like any amendment bill procedures, it will be presented, debated and voted by members. Tabulation of votes will be carried out on Jan 18.
Certain quarters have raised concern over water privatisation on the grounds that it will lead to higher tariffs and burden the poor.
There have also been complaints regarding outdated and damaged pipes, which lead to unhygienic water supply.
However, it was reported that the cost to repair or replace these pipes are beyond the means of the respective state governments.
In view of this, the federal government proposes to take over the treatment of water supply as well as the distribution and billing.
The veteran politician told malaysiakini that he does not see the need for the urgency, adding that the recent Tsunami disaster which claimed more than 100,000 lives should take precedence instead.
"Why can't we wait for another two months? Unless there is a special interest involved for the private companies that may benefit from this water privatisation plan?" he asked, referring to the commencement of Parliamentary sittings in March. The three-day special sitting will begin on Jan 17.
Lim said a special Parliament sitting should be held to discuss urgent matters and of special purposes.
"Maybe there is a certain party that feels this matter has been held up for too long and affected the company. Otherwise, I don't see the need of an emergency or time constraints to pass the bill," he added.
Essential issue
However, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz insists that the sitting is necessary as water is an essential issue.
"It is necessary to have this special sitting. There is a need to transfer (the powers) from state to government..." he said when contacted.
The minister, who oversees parliamentary affairs, said water is essential to the people and therefore the Parliament must look into it immediately. On the sitting, Nazri said like any amendment bill procedures, it will be presented, debated and voted by members. Tabulation of votes will be carried out on Jan 18.
Certain quarters have raised concern over water privatisation on the grounds that it will lead to higher tariffs and burden the poor.
There have also been complaints regarding outdated and damaged pipes, which lead to unhygienic water supply.
However, it was reported that the cost to repair or replace these pipes are beyond the means of the respective state governments.
In view of this, the federal government proposes to take over the treatment of water supply as well as the distribution and billing.
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