Today is World Water Day. Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui tells AZURA ABAS what it takes to achieve effective and efficient water management in Malaysia
It takes two to tango. Seriously. Efforts to boost the quality of Malaysia’s water management cannot rest solely on the Federal Government’s shoulder because water sources are under the jurisdiction of the states, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.
He said the Federal Government and states should work with one another and strike a compromise to resolve water issues in (the) public interest.
“State governments must do everything necessary to protect their water resources from pollution. Poor management can result in contamination of water catchments. At the federal level, we have our roles to play, like setting aside allocations to build water treatment plants and supply systems to deliver treated water to consumers.
“If we can get our act together, our water industry will be in a very good state. Unfortunately, problems continue to crop up because of a lack of synergy. We must remember that water involves everyone, and everyone is on the same side.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are the opposition or the ruling party,” he told the New Straits Times in an exclusive interview in conjunction with World Water Day 2011 today.
Asked how he would rank the country’s existing water management, with one being poor and five being excellent, Chin quipped: “About two and a half.”
This means Malaysia has much work ahead to improve its water management.
“When people ask me about Malaysia’s ability to tackle its water issues, I’m quite happy that at least there is the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) 2006 as a legal framework that we can subscribe to.
“This act has given the legal framework for major stakeholders to synergise.”
Every country has its own issues and some say Malaysia is on the right track to tackle its water issues with the support of such a centralised regulatory framework via WSIA.
“The introduction of WSIA since Jan 1, 2008 has contributed towards improving efficiency and effectiveness in the water services industry.
“Cooperation and support from different ministries and agencies, the state governments consumers and the public as well as water operators and others involved in the building, upkeep and provision of water supply and sewerage systems are needed to ensure an effective and successful water management for the country.”
In this respect, Chin urged all state water departments and water boards that have yet to be corporatised and make the transition to a licensing regime under WSIA to do so.
“Water should not be politicised. In fact, we have to put the people’s as well as national interests first where water is concerned.”
Chin appealed to all water-related managements to embrace WSIA as soon as possible, preferably by the end of this year.
For those who are still vague on how the legal framework would benefit them, they should make time to read up on the issues.
“At the same time, major stakeholders in the water industry should make full use of existing facilities that were formed to help them them focus on the needs to drive the water sector.”
He said Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB), a water asset management company fully owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, was set up as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to restructure the water services industry to achieve better efficiency and quality.
One of PAAB’s objectives is to set up, refurbish, improve, upgrade, maintain and repair water infrastructure and all other assets in relation to the water systems.
It also sources and gets competitive financing for the development of the nation’s water assets and leases such assets to water operators licensed by Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) for operations and maintenance.
PAAB even helps the ministry to restructure the nation’s water industry towards achieving the government’s vision of efficient and quality water services.
On this year’s World Water Day theme, “Water for Cities — Responding to The Urban Challenge”, Chin said: “It is a timely focus on urban water as well as sanitation issues.
“It is about time to get the city folk in the loop and raise their awareness on what it takes to channel clean and treated water to their taps daily.”
He said the water sector needed huge investments and commitment from all parties.
“It got more challenging to deliver potable water because of the issues of polluted water sources in some states.
“This resulted in having to get clean raw water from other states, digging deep into the government’s coffers.”
He urged the people to be fully aware of the significance of managing water resources optimally for sustainability for generations.
“Consumers must be truly aware that water resources are precious and therefore wastage must be checked.
“Water is also so important for the nation’s economic expansion.
“For Malaysia to move ahead and achieve developed nation status, everyone must play their role, directly or indirectly.
“It looks clear it does take two to tango to improve the water industry.
“And, maybe, just maybe, the nation’s water future will look brighter.”
