Reveal Splash value, says Selangor MB
> State only informed of valuation methodology, not amount: Azmin
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is still awaiting a response from the Cabinet on the total acquisition value of Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash), said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Bukit Antarabangsa).
He said the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (Kettha) only informed the state government on the valuation methodology made by independent valuer Deloitte but failed to state the takeover value for Splash in a letter dated May 26.
“In the same letter, Kettha also urged the state government to make its stand with the 60:40 suggestion, with 60% of the takeover cost borne by the federal government and the remainder by the state government. We strongly objected to it because of the ministry’s decision on the ratio without the final decision by the federal government.
“Kettha had also asked the state government to give its written commitment to increase the water tariff in Selangor, the Federal Territories and Putrajaya,” he told the state assembly sitting yesterday.
Stating that the value was to be determined by Deloitte, which was appointed by the federal government, Mohamed Azmin said he met Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah on July 18.
“He assured me that he will be discussing the matter with the Finance Ministry.”
The deadline to conclude the takeover of Splash, which was set for April this year, has been extended by another six months, as the federal government is still waiting for the results on the valuation.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman Razak (BNPermatang) said Selangor BN will be following up with Kettha on Mohamed Azmin’s claims that the ministry is pressuring the state government to increase the water tariff.
“It is a doubtful claim. We will check on this with Kettha. I have not heard of such an instruction from Kettha.
“As far as we know, any request for a water tariff hike must be made to the National Water Services Commission. We would need a copy of the letter for us to verify this matter,” he said.