Selangor has demanded that it be allowed to take over water operations from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), so as to resolve the current water crisis in the Klang valley and avert such problems in the future.
In asserting this, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Syabas' failure to fulfil its responsibilities under the concession agreement with the state in providing services to consumers has made it imperative for the state to step in.
"It is imperative to end the concession agreement altogether, with the Selangor government stepping in to prevent any future water disruptions," he said today.
Abdul Khalid urged the federal government to cooperate with the Selangor government to allow the state to take over water services in accordance with the Water Services Industry Act 2006.
On July 16 last year, Abdul Khalid had announced the state's intention to take over the management of Syabas, citing – among other things – RM2.8 billion in debt accumulated by the company resulting in poor water operations in the state.
The state government had issued letters to the federal government on Dec 19, 2008, and Jan 21, 2011, to cancel the concession agreement, but the federal government has not agreed to it.
About half a million residents in Gombak, Ampang and Pandan have been facing intermittent water supply since Dec 29 after the Wangsa Maju water pump house broke down.
Abdul Khalid also gave an assurance that normal water supply is expected to be resolved within a week – contrary to Syabas chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail's claim on Tuesday that the problem may extend until the Chinese New Year period.
He based this on daily meetings with Syabas engineers who are working on the issue.
Speaking at a press conference after the state executive council meeting here, Abdul Khalid said an investigation revealed that the faulty water pump house at Wangsa Maju was poorly maintained, causing prolonged water disruption in Gombak and Kuala Lumpur.
He said the state's water supply monitoring committee had looked into the pump house by engaging with all relevant parties, including the consultant engineer who designed it as well as contractors and the supplier of the variable speed drive (VSD) system connected to the pump.
"The VSD system needs periodical maintenance to upkeep the pumps. However, Syabas does not have any contract with the supplier to maintain the pumps, and only contacted them when there are problems.
"Therefore, Syabas' initial allegation which pinpoints the pump house failure to the VSD is baseless," he said.
Abdul Khalid said apparently contradicting statements made by various Syabas officials when addressing the problem, was also causing panic and feelings of frustrations among consumers in the Klang Valley.
He was referring to Syabas corporate affairs executive director Halim Mat Som, who reportedly said the water issue will be resolved in seven days.
However, Rozali said the problem may stretch until Chinese New Year, citing an increase in demand as well as the state government's suspension of its capital expenditure, which involves upgrading and repairing of water pumps as reasons for the delay.
"In the meantime, we have instructed local councils near affected areas to mobilise water tankers for affected residents periodically," Abdul Khalid added.--TheSun
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