No bailouts, but the federal government will help to ensure the people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya have a continuous supply of water.
That was Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin’s message in response to the ongoing water dispute between the Selangor and federal governments.
The minister said the joint committee is trying to work out a solution on the Selangor water issue, which has been deadlocked for almost two years.
Asked if there is a deadline, Chin said: “As long as we cannot resolve [the issue on a] willing buyer, willing seller [basis], how can we set a deadline?
“I have agreed more or less with [Tan Sri] Khalid [Ibrahim], Menteri Besar of Selangor that we will try to resolve this by the end of this year. He himself put [forward] that date that he can find a solution.”
Chin added that he had written to Khalid on Nov 24 to ask him to look at the water deals. Chin also said that Khalid had given an undertaking to try to resolve the issue by end-December. He was speaking to reporters at the signing of a strategic alliance between i-City and HDC Data Centre for the development of a Green Data Centre.
On the position of the bondholders if the issue is not resolved by the end of this year, Chin said: “Well, we have to talk to the bondholders. The guys who are owing the money will have to talk to bondholders to satisfy the requirements of the bond.”
Pressed if there would be a bailout by the federal government, Chin snapped: “What bailout? What bailout is there? Why do you call it a bailout?
“Why is it considered a bailout? There is nothing to be bailed out for.
“If at all, we are helping the people in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya to have water. Why is it called a bailout? I don’t understand.
“I think we have to use the right word. This is no bailout. There is no such thing as bailout for anybody. What the government is doing is to try and help so that everybody gets the water.
“If I stop helping, you know what will happen? The industry will collapse and you don’t get your water.”
On the likelihood of an increase in the electricity tariff in view of the recent hike in petrol and LPG prices, Chin said the government has agreed in principle with his ministry that there is a need to review the electricity tariff due to the increase in cost and fuel prices.
“The only [thing] the Cabinet did not agree to is to implement it right away. We have been told to put on hold the proposal to increase the tariff to a time the government feels is more suitable.
“This is a matter for the Economic Council. Once the Economic Council agrees that there is date for us to implement it, then we will implement it. But as long as we don’t get a date from the Economic Council chaired by the PM (prime minister), I cannot do anything,” he said, adding if the government goes ahead to increase the tariff, it may escalate the cost of living - The Edge
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