‘Govt can declare water emergency’
> Preferable for Selangor to resolve issue via negotiations first, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR: A water emergency can be declared in Selangor if the state’s water crisis continues, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili urged the Selangor state government to resolve the water crisis by completing its restructuring plan as soon as possible.
He said although the Water Services Industry Act 2006 allows the federal government to step in to resolve the water restructuring dilemma, he wants the state to use the “willing seller willing buyer” approach to resolve the problem.
“We can use the Act in the name of national security and if the crisis persists, then the federal government will look at the options available and its legalities.
“But I hope there is a (solution) so that I don’t have to declare a water emergency, where the Act will come into play and (the water concessions) comes under federal government control.
“I want to avoid that,” he said in response to a supplementary question by Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (Independent-Bandar Tun Razak).
Khalid, who was involved in the water restructuring process when he was Selangor mentri besar, had asked whether if the government would take over the water concessions.
Ongkili said Selangor, under Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, should just name its price and take over treated water supplier Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) to complete the restructuring process.
The state government’s delay in completing the restructuring has impacted Splash in paying contractors and suppliers for proper maintenance and repair works.
“Due to the delay in restructuring, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, which has been acquired by the state, owes Splash about RM4.42 billion for the supply of treated water.”