The Pakatan Rakyat top leadership has given its blessings to the
water restructuring deal between the Selangor and federal governments.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (pix) said the
matter was discussed at a meeting last night, attended by PKR adviser
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and they had agreed to the project.
"Last night, I discussed with the Pakatan Rakyat leadership (on the
water restructuring deal) and they agreed to the project, though, there
was initial suspicion on responsibility, on the part of the state and
federal governments.
"But the project must be consolidated as an assurance to the people
of Selangor on the benefits of this project," he told reporters after
the launch of the Rural Technical Skills Programme and Incentive School
Bus Grant For Village Children here.
Anwar, who is the candidate for the Kajang by-election on March 23
was earlier reported to have instructed Abdul Khalid not to enter into
the water industry restructuring agreement with the federal government
until the Pakatan leadership was sufficiently briefed.
Last week, the Selangor Government inked the memorandum of
understanding with the federal government represented by Energy, Water
and Green Technology Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, among
others, to reorganise water utility in the state, which could lead to
the construction of the long-opposed Langat 2 water treatment facility.
Subsequently, Anwar said the Selangor menteri besar should have
discussed the matter with the Pakatan leadership beforehand and taken
into account the consensus view, particularly involving the people's
interest.
In the agreement, the federal government agreed to allow the Selangor
Government to take over four water concessionaires in the state -
Selangor Bekalan Air Selangor Bhd (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB),
Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd (Abbas) and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Holdings
Bhd (Splash), with a compensation of RM9.65 billion.
Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid, who is also PKR director for the Kajang
by-election, denied receiving a letter to hand over the menteri besar's
post to Anwar, if the latter won in the by-election. – Bernama
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