DPM: A responsibility shared by all

‘State govts must do their part in water management’

KUALA LUMPUR: State governments should help expedite land reclamation process under the Rural Water Supply Programme (BLAB) and ease restrictions to connect water meters by state authorities, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The country's water management, he said, was a shared responsibility between the state and federal government.

“The BLAB programme has been implemented smoothly and is expected to achieve its 99% of water supply coverage before 2020.

“A holistic sustainable water management approach must be considered by both the Federal and state governments,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid in a statement after chairing the 12th National Water Resources Council meeting in parliament yesterday.

The close cooperation between state governments and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry was among the main agenda discussed at the meeting to streamline water resources management and to further improve its reservation efforts.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said state governments should ensure that water catchment areas were protected from uncontrolled development or agricultural activities.

"The Federal Government will continue to explore new water alternative sources, boost water awareness campaigns and introduce structured water tariff that will promote proper water usage.”

Dr Ahmad Zahid also reminded water operators and stakeholders to follow the Malaysia Dam Safety Management Guidelines as a systematic safety management guideline that was on par with international level.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Government was looking at creating a new law to standardise the safety management guidelines for the 104 dams in the country.

He said the draft was still with the ministry and would be looked together with the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, he said, had also directed that all state governments and other interested groups should be involved in discussions regarding the proposed law.

"Only after this process has been completed, the Attorney-General Chambers will evaluate it before bringing it to the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.