Govt may intervene in water issue

THE government may intervene in the water restructuring exercise in Pahang, as was done in Johor and Selangor.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the government is in talks with the Pahang government to increase the water tariff, which has not been revised for 33 years.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament lobby, he said discussions are ongoing between the National Water Service Commission (SPAN) and the Pahang government but no decisions have been finalised.

Ongkili said the state should increase the water tariff due to high operational costs.

However, he said the state is not keen on the hike, in the interest of its residents.

Ongkili said the restructuring exercise will see the state water assets transferred to the federal government, as provided under the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) 2006.

He was responding to a statement by Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who wanted the state to immediately resolve the water supply issues in several districts in Pahang.

Tengku Abdullah also ordered Pahang Water Management to discuss the matter with the federal government to secure the best solution as soon as possible.

“Pahang has many water catchment areas and it is unacceptable when we face water supply issues because we are also exporting water to other states like Kuala Lumpur and Selangor,” Tengku Abdullah said.