Selangor water woes all Anwar’s fault, says state opposition leader

The Selangor opposition alleged today that it was constant meddling by state economic advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that led to the ongoing water crisis affecting some nine million people in Selangor and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Selangor opposition chief Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias said it was because of Anwar’s adamant objection to the construction of the controversial Langat 2 water treatment plant that the state is now forced to ration its water due to dwindling supply.

“I fear the mentri besar faces a lot of pressure to derail the MoU. If it is stopped, it will only cause more problems... this plant is already delayed. If it is delayed further, what will happen?” Shamsudin said when met in the state assembly annex lobby.

The state and federal governments recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to tackle the chronic water woes faced by residents in Selangor and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Under the MoU, the federal government is to help the state acquire all water assets as part of the state administration’s ambitious water industry restructuring exercise, in exchange for state approval for the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant.

Shamsudin said Anwar had done nothing to contribute to Selangor’s economic growth, and instead, accused the latter of being obsessed with undermining the Barisan Nasional-led federal government.

“All the infrastructure already exists in Selangor to attract FDI (foreign direct investment). The state on its own is already attractive.

“There is no initiative by the economic advisor, who goes overseas not to lead investment missions for Selangor but to criticise the (federal) government.

“What is most sad, is that this advisor has caused much suffering and hardship and confusion in Selangor. Look at the Kajang move where he wanted to become MB... that does not help Selangor, that only destroys Selangor,” Shamsudin said.

Last February, Khalid and Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus J Ongkili signed the MoU, paving the way for Selangor’s takeover of water assets currently owned by four concessionaires operating in the state under the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) 2006.

The federal and state administrations are currently working out a forced takeover of three of the four concession holders — Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Bhd (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB) and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash) — after they refused Selangor’s RM9.65 billion total offer.

Only state-owned Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd (ABBAS) agreed to the terms laid out by the state government.

The deal, however, was criticised by Pakatan Rakyat leaders — especially those seen to be aligned with Anwar — who argued that Selangor does not need to agree to the Langat 2 plant after talks with the three concession holders fell through.

Construction of the Langat 2 plant is currently on hold, pending the completion of the state’s water industry restructuring exercise.