The Coalition Against Water Privatisation (CAWP) lambasted the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) for its inaction against the two water concessionaires in Selangor about the ongoing water problems in the state.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said that SPAN, being the regulator, should be proactive, independent and play its role to ensure the problem is taken care of.
He said there seemed to be no form of enforcement by SPAN against Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) or Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd (PNHB) over the matter.
"SPAN's response was that Syabas and Puncak Niaga, and the water services industry is still new, so time should be given.
"But this raises a fundamental question of whether or not SPAN is being neutral. Only with enforcement of law, would you be seen as being independent," he said.
"And given the political linkages between government leaders, PNHB and Syabas, people will think you are working with them," he added.
He also said that they had made it clear that the situation was not acceptable and that SPAN has to be proactive and take on its responsibility as the regulator.
"They have to be active, independent and make sure that this does not happen again," said Charles after a meeting with SPAN officials here today.
He said the coalition also questioned SPAN if they had spotted the problem in the failure of the water pumps in Wangsa Maju pump station, which had caused water disruptions in several areas in Kuala Lumpur and Gombak.
Charles said SPAN, on its part had done audits.
"They said they have done their audit so I'd like to think they have done the audit and noted the problem, but nothing was done about it," he said.
According to Charles, SPAN said it will be forming a committee to look into maintenance issues in Wangsa Maju as well as other parts in the country.
The committee, Charles said, will consist of officials from the Public Works Department, Selangor Economy Planning Unit and other government agencies.
"They are forming the committee and it will be given two to three months to come up with a conclusion for Wangsa Maju and other areas, but we have told them not to drag it out for too long," he said.
Also present was Senator Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud and Aliran exco Sarajun Hoda.
Syed Shahrir said the water supply problem in the state can be overcome if SPAN did its job as a regulator.
"We are not asking for SPAN to do something out of their capacity, just what is according to the law, that is, to review, and make recommendations or take action against the concessionaires because the perception of people towards SPAN, PNHB , Syabas and even the Selangor government is quite bad.
"People feel that no one is doing their job but we know that the Selangor government is working hard to solve this problem," he said.
Syed Shahrir added he is worried that in the coming weeks, more areas will be face water disruption.--TheSun
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