The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Federal and Selangor
governments in Putrajaya yesterday, in connection with the restructuring
of the water industry in Selangor has given new hope to Klang Valley
residents, as well as investors and property developers in the state.
The MoU is proof that the Federal Government and the Selangor
Government are capable of sitting at the same table to resolve the
problems of the people - despite their different political ideologies.
People in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya who dreamt of a
comfortable life with uninterrupted supply of clean water, and investors
who want their projects to continue because there is sufficient treated
water can now heave a sigh of relief.
This is because the Langat 2 project, due for completion in 2017 has
the capacity to meet the demand for water supply until 2025.
Yesterday, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr
Maximus Ongkili said the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (LRAL2) was
capable of treating 1.89 billion litres of raw water from Sungai
Semantan, Pahang which would be channeled by tunnels, 44.6km across the
Titiwangsa Range to Hulu Langat in Selangor.
His predecessor, Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui once said that the
construction of the LRAL2 which had a capacity of 1,130 million litres
would begin in June 2013.
The project has been delayed due to the refusal of the Selangor
Government under the opposition coalition which took over the state
after the 2008 General Election, to approve the development order to the
project.
Prior to this, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had
asked that the Langat 2 project be included in the water industry
re-structuring talks which involved the taking-over of four water
concessionaires - Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor
Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd
(Splash) and Konsortium Abass Sdn Bhd (Abass), by state government
subsidiary Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KEDEB).
However, yesterday, Abdul Khalid unexpectedly signed the MoU with
Ongkili and agreed to issue the consent for the construction of LRAL2,
which is expected to increase the supply of treated water to meet
increased demands in the Klang Valley.
Syabas chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi had once said that
the demand for treated water currently, was 4,638 million litres (jls) a
day, as compared to the output of 4,661 jls, while the demand for water
in the Klang Valley was expected to increase at a rate of 3.5 per cent a
year.
Selangor Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the
delay of the state government to give approval to the construction of
the LRAL2 had negative effects on Selangor's image as a developed state
in the country.
He said up till last year, as a result of the reduced water reserves in
Selangor - marking just one per cent of the 20 per cent it should have
been - 87,754 new housing projects which needed 147.87 million litres
daily could not be started.
Similarly, the construction of 6,240 units of shoplots and new
commercial centres which needed 38.02 jls of water, 4,330 units of new
shopping centres which needed 9.49 jls of water, 3,159 new hotel units
needing 10.76 jls water, 830 new factories needing 31.24 jls water and
4,038 religious houses and new schools needing 900,000 litres a day,
could not begin.
The historic MoU yesterday was the solution to all these problems and
could revive the hopes of the people for more work opportunities,
besides owning their dream homes when the housing projects were revived.
Meanwhile, experts saw the MoU as saving the water crisis in Selangor and Lembah Klang.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Geography lecturer Prof Chan Ngai Weng said
Langat 2 was the best solution because for now, Selangor had no other
option to overcome the problem of lack of treated water supply in the
area which is packed with residents and development.
The head of the Department of Nationhood and Civilisation Studies in
the Faculty of Human Ecology in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr
Ahmad Tarmizi Talib described the MoU as "blessings of the drought" as
Langat 2 was resolved after being delayed for six years.
The solution reached yesterday, he said, was proof that the Federal and
Selangor Governments could sit at the same table to find a solution for
the people.
"This is the start of mature politics. The leaders should realise that
every move and decision they make is being observed. Whoever serves the
best will continue to be the choice," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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