KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The government is in the process of amending the Weights and Measures Act 1972 to calibrate water and electric meters to avoid inconveniencing the people.
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said under the proposed amendment, the ministry's officers would be empowered to check the meters every year.
"I believe we could issue the new regulation by early next year so that we could check every water and electric meters, and other meters as well," he told reporters after opening an exhibition on residential decoration and lifestyle 'Perfect Living 2011' at the Putra World Trade Centre, here, today.
He was commenting on consumer complaints that their electricity bills soared after their meters were replaced with new ones.
He also said that, since the cases were isolated ones, the consumers concerned should engage Tenaga Nasional Berhad to get clarifications.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
TheStar:Selangor Govt yet to give okay for water plant
KUANTAN: The Selangor Government has yet to issue the development order that would allow the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant despite the facility being delayed by a year.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said it was the second most important part of the RM9bil Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project.
“We are very anxious to get the project tendered out as we already have the specifications, drawings and even the funds.
“The only obstacle is the development order from the Selangor Government and this must be issued as soon as possible,” Chin said after visiting Malaysian Solar Resources Sdn Bhd, a producer of solar photovoltaic modules in Gambang here.
He added yesterday that the first component, a 44.6km tunnel bored through the Titiwangsa Main Range, was 29% completed and construction was ahead of schedule. It is expected to be ready in 2014.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said it was the second most important part of the RM9bil Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project.
“We are very anxious to get the project tendered out as we already have the specifications, drawings and even the funds.
“The only obstacle is the development order from the Selangor Government and this must be issued as soon as possible,” Chin said after visiting Malaysian Solar Resources Sdn Bhd, a producer of solar photovoltaic modules in Gambang here.
He added yesterday that the first component, a 44.6km tunnel bored through the Titiwangsa Main Range, was 29% completed and construction was ahead of schedule. It is expected to be ready in 2014.
TheStar:Should water be given free?
THE Selangor government spends a staggering RM14mil a month on its free water programme yet the deserving 30% who are poor do not benefit.
Since Selangor introduced free water for the first 20 cubic metres of water for individual consumers in June 2008, low-income families living in low-cost flats have not been able to benefit from the programme.
Poor families living in low-cost flats use bulk meters instead of individual ones hence they still pay more than domestic users.
While the gesture seems noble, many believe that free water should only be given to the hardcore poor.Relieving stress: Tan never fails to sweep the road every morning.
But environmentalists may argue that giving away free water is a bad idea because it encourages wastage.
Just imagine that 187 households using 20 cubic metres (equivalent to 20,000 litres) of water each can fill an Olympic-size swimming pool (25m x 50m x 3m = 3,750 m3).
Do people need that much water? 20,000 litres could also fill 13,333 mineral water bottles (1.5 litre).
Each bottle costs RM2.50. Thus the total value of 13,333 bottles will be RM2.50 X 13,333 = RM33,333.
About 20,000 litres can also fill 40,000 bottles of 0.5 litre bottles.
With each bottle worth RM1; hence the total value is 40,000 x RM1 = RM40,000.
Since Selangor introduced free water for the first 20 cubic metres of water for individual consumers in June 2008, low-income families living in low-cost flats have not been able to benefit from the programme.
Poor families living in low-cost flats use bulk meters instead of individual ones hence they still pay more than domestic users.
While the gesture seems noble, many believe that free water should only be given to the hardcore poor.Relieving stress: Tan never fails to sweep the road every morning.
But environmentalists may argue that giving away free water is a bad idea because it encourages wastage.
Just imagine that 187 households using 20 cubic metres (equivalent to 20,000 litres) of water each can fill an Olympic-size swimming pool (25m x 50m x 3m = 3,750 m3).
Do people need that much water? 20,000 litres could also fill 13,333 mineral water bottles (1.5 litre).
Each bottle costs RM2.50. Thus the total value of 13,333 bottles will be RM2.50 X 13,333 = RM33,333.
About 20,000 litres can also fill 40,000 bottles of 0.5 litre bottles.
With each bottle worth RM1; hence the total value is 40,000 x RM1 = RM40,000.
Bernama:CPI Up 3.4 Per Cent In July
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama -- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July rose 3.4 per cent to 103.4, from 100.0 recorded in the same month last year, and when compared with June 2011, it was up 0.2 per cent.
For the January-July 2011 period, the CPI was up 3.1 per cent to 102.7 compared with 99.6 registered in the same period last year, the Statistics Department said in a statement today.
The index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Food for July 2011, compared with the same month in 2010, showed increases of 4.9 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.
Compared with the previous month, the index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Food increased by 0.4 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.
For the January-July 2011 period, the index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Food increased by 4.6 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively against the previous corresponding period.
The 3.1 per cent increase in CPI for January-July was brought about by increases observed in the indices of all the main groups except for Clothing & Footwear (-0.4 per cent) and Communication (-0.1 per cent).
Notable increases among these main groups with high weights were Transport (+5.0 per cent), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.6 per cent) and; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+1.6 per cent), it said.-- BERNAMA
For the January-July 2011 period, the CPI was up 3.1 per cent to 102.7 compared with 99.6 registered in the same period last year, the Statistics Department said in a statement today.
The index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Food for July 2011, compared with the same month in 2010, showed increases of 4.9 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.
Compared with the previous month, the index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Food increased by 0.4 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.
For the January-July 2011 period, the index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Food increased by 4.6 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively against the previous corresponding period.
The 3.1 per cent increase in CPI for January-July was brought about by increases observed in the indices of all the main groups except for Clothing & Footwear (-0.4 per cent) and Communication (-0.1 per cent).
Notable increases among these main groups with high weights were Transport (+5.0 per cent), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.6 per cent) and; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+1.6 per cent), it said.-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
TheStar:Messy meters
Since Syabas took over the water supply distribution in the Klang Valley in 2005, it encountered numerous problems with high-rise apartments with bulk meters. Six years on, the problem is still unsolved.
WHEN water supply to condominium and apartment blocks with bulk meters is cut for not settling overdue bills, everyone, including those who have been paying their share diligently, are penalised and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) is blamed for being cruel and unfair.
This has created a lot of tension and that is why Syabas has been pushing for the migration of bulk water meters to individual ones in condominiums, apartments and flats.
Syabas corporate communications executive director Abdul Halem Mat Som said while it was unfair to paying customers, there was no choice in the matter.
Halem said Syabas proposed to the state and federal government six years ago to enable those living in flats and condominiums to migrate from bulk to individual meters as they felt that it was the only way to solve the problems the company was facing.
WHEN water supply to condominium and apartment blocks with bulk meters is cut for not settling overdue bills, everyone, including those who have been paying their share diligently, are penalised and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) is blamed for being cruel and unfair.
This has created a lot of tension and that is why Syabas has been pushing for the migration of bulk water meters to individual ones in condominiums, apartments and flats.
Syabas corporate communications executive director Abdul Halem Mat Som said while it was unfair to paying customers, there was no choice in the matter.
Halem said Syabas proposed to the state and federal government six years ago to enable those living in flats and condominiums to migrate from bulk to individual meters as they felt that it was the only way to solve the problems the company was facing.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Bernama:Public Misinformed By Clashing Selangor Water Info, Says MWA
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Water Association (MWA) believes that the Selangor state government has been misinforming the general public of the exact situation of water demand and growth in the state.
In a statement, it alluded to the recent disagreement between Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) and the state government over the water situation in Selangor.
To settle differences between the two parties, MWA proposed that the state government allow Syabas to present their data on supply and demand situation.
It said with these numbers, the state government could then reconcile the presented data with its own set of data.
"This reconciliation is essential, as the public is currently misinformed and misled with the current clashing of information between the two parties," MWA said.
In a statement, it alluded to the recent disagreement between Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) and the state government over the water situation in Selangor.
To settle differences between the two parties, MWA proposed that the state government allow Syabas to present their data on supply and demand situation.
It said with these numbers, the state government could then reconcile the presented data with its own set of data.
"This reconciliation is essential, as the public is currently misinformed and misled with the current clashing of information between the two parties," MWA said.
Bernama:Syabas: Projection Based On Actual Supply And Demand
SHAH ALAM, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) in a statement here today clarified that it did not refer to the Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) National Water Resources Study (NWRS) conducted in 2000, in its projection of water supply and demand for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Syabas chief operating officer Datuk Ir Lee Miang Koi said its projection was based on actual supply and demand which reflected a 3.5 percent yearly increase for the next five years.
Lee was commenting on the statement by Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs, and Environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong that the prediction of next year's water crisis for the Klang Valley and Putrajaya was inaccurate because it relied too much on the NWRS by EPU in 2000.
Wong was reported to have said that the existing water treatment plants' capacity was sufficient to meet the rising demand for water, especially in Selangor. Lee emphasised that Syabas' projection showed the current capacity was not sufficient to meet the 3.5 percent yearly increase in demand until 2014.
Lee also denied Wong's allegation that Syabas had not reduced Non-revenue Water (NRW) to acceptable levels.
He said Syabas managed to reduce NRW from 42.78 percent to 32 percent as at end of 2008 but could not continue to do so following the freeze on capital expenditure by the National Water Services Commission.
The freeze was part of the Selangor state government's plan to restructure the water supply sector in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.-- BERNAMA
Syabas chief operating officer Datuk Ir Lee Miang Koi said its projection was based on actual supply and demand which reflected a 3.5 percent yearly increase for the next five years.
Lee was commenting on the statement by Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs, and Environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong that the prediction of next year's water crisis for the Klang Valley and Putrajaya was inaccurate because it relied too much on the NWRS by EPU in 2000.
Wong was reported to have said that the existing water treatment plants' capacity was sufficient to meet the rising demand for water, especially in Selangor. Lee emphasised that Syabas' projection showed the current capacity was not sufficient to meet the 3.5 percent yearly increase in demand until 2014.
Lee also denied Wong's allegation that Syabas had not reduced Non-revenue Water (NRW) to acceptable levels.
He said Syabas managed to reduce NRW from 42.78 percent to 32 percent as at end of 2008 but could not continue to do so following the freeze on capital expenditure by the National Water Services Commission.
The freeze was part of the Selangor state government's plan to restructure the water supply sector in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Bernama:Perak Spends RM2 Million For Clean Water Subsidy
IPOH, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The Perak government has spent more than RM2 million on subsidy for clean water supply to 9,069 poor families in the state, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
He said the affected families comprised 6,845 families who were registered Social Welfare Department, while the remaining families were registered with the State Islamic Religious Council (1,509) and the Orang Asli Affairs Department (715).
Speaking to reporters after chairing the Perak Water Board (LAP) board of directors meeting today said that the state government was in the second phase of installing pipes to villages and the interior areas in the state.
The second phase of the project, costing RM3.68 million and funded by LAP, involved 51 resettlement areas, he added.
He said the affected families comprised 6,845 families who were registered Social Welfare Department, while the remaining families were registered with the State Islamic Religious Council (1,509) and the Orang Asli Affairs Department (715).
Speaking to reporters after chairing the Perak Water Board (LAP) board of directors meeting today said that the state government was in the second phase of installing pipes to villages and the interior areas in the state.
The second phase of the project, costing RM3.68 million and funded by LAP, involved 51 resettlement areas, he added.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Bernama:Selangor, Kuala Lumpur And Putrajaya May Face Water Crisis In 2014
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) - Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui expects a water crisis to erupt in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in 2014 if immediate action is not taken to address the issue.
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) forecasted that by 2014, the supply deficit is expected to increase to 476mil litres daily with demand for treated water expected to increase to 4,907mil litres daily compared to supply of 4,431mil litres daily.
The federal government had taken the initiative to implement the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Supply Scheme to avoid a water crisis to people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya by 2014, he said in a statement.
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) forecasted that by 2014, the supply deficit is expected to increase to 476mil litres daily with demand for treated water expected to increase to 4,907mil litres daily compared to supply of 4,431mil litres daily.
The federal government had taken the initiative to implement the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Supply Scheme to avoid a water crisis to people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya by 2014, he said in a statement.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
FreeMalaysiaToday:Beri tekanan kepada k’jaan pusat
Kerajaan Selangor berpendapat bahawa kenyataan yang mengatakan akan berlaku krisis air adalah tidak tepat dan mengelirukan.
SHAH ALAM: Kerajaan negeri Selangor tetap berpendirian bahawa isu air boleh diselesaikan jika semua pihak memberi tekanan kepada kerajaan pusat untuk menyelesaikan proses penstrukturan semula industri perkhidmatan air.
Exco Jawatankuasa Tetap Pelancongan, Hal Ehwal Pengguna dan Alam Sekitar, Elizabeth Wong berkata jika isu tersebut tidak diselesaikan terlebih dahulu, pembinaan loji rawatan air di Hulu Langat tidak dapat dilaksanakan.
“Kerajaan Selangor berpendapat bahawa kenyataan yang mengatakan akan berlaku krisis air adalah tidak tepat dan mengelirukan.
SHAH ALAM: Kerajaan negeri Selangor tetap berpendirian bahawa isu air boleh diselesaikan jika semua pihak memberi tekanan kepada kerajaan pusat untuk menyelesaikan proses penstrukturan semula industri perkhidmatan air.
Exco Jawatankuasa Tetap Pelancongan, Hal Ehwal Pengguna dan Alam Sekitar, Elizabeth Wong berkata jika isu tersebut tidak diselesaikan terlebih dahulu, pembinaan loji rawatan air di Hulu Langat tidak dapat dilaksanakan.
“Kerajaan Selangor berpendapat bahawa kenyataan yang mengatakan akan berlaku krisis air adalah tidak tepat dan mengelirukan.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
TheStar:Water crisis looms in Klang Valley
MOST of us may not think much about using water frugally as the water bill is much lower than other utility bills.
The various campaigns and public service announcements did not seem to have worked; many Malaysians do not see the looming danger of our taps running dry if the current water consumption trend continues.
Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are expected to be the first areas to be hit by major water crisis, according to Syabas chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi.
Lee could not say exactly when the water crisis would happen but said the country could face serious problems before the completion of Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant, which was scheduled to be completed in 2015 but was now delayed.
Concerned about this, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca), in collaboration with Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Water Watch Association (S3W), Forum Air Malaysia (FAM) and the Water Association of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, organised a roundtable meeting last Wednesday at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.
The various campaigns and public service announcements did not seem to have worked; many Malaysians do not see the looming danger of our taps running dry if the current water consumption trend continues.
Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are expected to be the first areas to be hit by major water crisis, according to Syabas chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi.
Lee could not say exactly when the water crisis would happen but said the country could face serious problems before the completion of Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant, which was scheduled to be completed in 2015 but was now delayed.
Concerned about this, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca), in collaboration with Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Water Watch Association (S3W), Forum Air Malaysia (FAM) and the Water Association of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, organised a roundtable meeting last Wednesday at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
BeritaHarian:Teknologi air bersih
UNIVERSITI Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) menerusi Makmal Bioteknologi Industri akan mengukuhkan kepakarannya dalam penyelidikan berkaitan pengurusan air bersih menerusi kerjasama dengan beberapa lagi universiti ternama di Amerika Syarikat (AS).
Antaranya ialah Stanford University, Purdue University, University of Maryland dan Michingan State University, selain kerjasama sedia ada dengan Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ketika menubuhkan makmal terbabit tahun lalu.
Naib Canselor UTM, Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang, berkata penubuhan makmal itu dijangka dapat memperluaskan kerjasama kerjasama dengan universiti lain di AS kerana setiap institusi terbabit mempunyai kepakaran masing-masing.
Antaranya ialah Stanford University, Purdue University, University of Maryland dan Michingan State University, selain kerjasama sedia ada dengan Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ketika menubuhkan makmal terbabit tahun lalu.
Naib Canselor UTM, Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang, berkata penubuhan makmal itu dijangka dapat memperluaskan kerjasama kerjasama dengan universiti lain di AS kerana setiap institusi terbabit mempunyai kepakaran masing-masing.
BeritaHarian:Surat:Tangani isu air di Lembah Klang
FORUM atau dialog berkaitan status terkini bekalan air Lembah Klang baru-baru ini yang dianjur FOMCA dan Persatuan Air Selangor, Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya (SWAN), jelas memperlihatkan betapa seriusnya tahap kekurangan bekalan air bersih di Selangor, ibu negara dan Putrajaya.
Krisis air di Lembah Klang ini sudah lama diperkatakan banyak pihak, namun sikap dan tindakan sesetengah pihak yang mempolitikkan isu berkenaan menjadikan ia gagal diatasi dengan berkesan.
Kajian oleh pakar air negara mendapati rizab simpanan air di ketiga-tiga kawasan hanya tinggal pada kadar tiga hingga lima peratus yang nyata tidak mencukupi untuk menampung permintaan bekalan air sedia ada jika sesuatu tragedi atau malapetaka berlaku.
Krisis air di Lembah Klang ini sudah lama diperkatakan banyak pihak, namun sikap dan tindakan sesetengah pihak yang mempolitikkan isu berkenaan menjadikan ia gagal diatasi dengan berkesan.
Kajian oleh pakar air negara mendapati rizab simpanan air di ketiga-tiga kawasan hanya tinggal pada kadar tiga hingga lima peratus yang nyata tidak mencukupi untuk menampung permintaan bekalan air sedia ada jika sesuatu tragedi atau malapetaka berlaku.
TheSun:Untangling the politics of water
LET me make my column debut in theSun by writing about water, undoubtedly life’s most precious commodity. Because the people are accustomed to thinking that there is so much water available, by and large Malaysians’ appreciation of the real value of water is perhaps the lowest in the world.
A survey showed that Malaysians wasted the most water compared with other consumers in Southeast Asia. This wanton wastage is all too obvious for everyone to see, especially by the ubiquitous car-wash outlets and council lorries watering plants by the roadside.
In the face of this, two SOS warnings rang out in quick succession last week of an impending water crisis that could break out by next year in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, the nation’s most densely populated regions, if steps being planned to overcome it are not immediately implemented.
Datuk Lee Miang Koi, the chief operating officer of Syabas, the privatised water services concessionaire for the three regions, warned on Thursday that reserves were at very low levels at 3-5% while the population in these areas had increased by 3.5% a year over the last six years. Syabas serves a population of 7.3 million plus industrial and commercial users through 1.52 million accounts.
A survey showed that Malaysians wasted the most water compared with other consumers in Southeast Asia. This wanton wastage is all too obvious for everyone to see, especially by the ubiquitous car-wash outlets and council lorries watering plants by the roadside.
In the face of this, two SOS warnings rang out in quick succession last week of an impending water crisis that could break out by next year in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, the nation’s most densely populated regions, if steps being planned to overcome it are not immediately implemented.
Datuk Lee Miang Koi, the chief operating officer of Syabas, the privatised water services concessionaire for the three regions, warned on Thursday that reserves were at very low levels at 3-5% while the population in these areas had increased by 3.5% a year over the last six years. Syabas serves a population of 7.3 million plus industrial and commercial users through 1.52 million accounts.
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