The Federal government will ensure that the new water tariff fixed after completion of Sungai Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant will not burden Selangor people.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the Selangor government should not make conclusions as the water treatment project has not started.
“The opposition believe that the people have to pay a high price for the billion ringgit project.
“Barisan Nasional (BN) is 10 steps ahead of the opposition when it comes to reducing the people’s burden.
“Don’t jump the gun. The issue is water supply in Selangor. The BN government will take into account the people’s views when determining the new tariff,” he told reporters after attending a Selangor Water Crisis Forum organised by Selangor Concerned People’s Movement (GPRS) in Beranang.
The forum was moderated by Kolej Poly-Tech Mara lecturer Dr Wan Sabri Wan Hussin with panel members Mohd Mustafa Hamzah of Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia Islam Malaysia and Mohamad Fuad Omar, a Tenaga Nasional Berhad retired engineer.
On July 26, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water said the federal government will implement the RM8.65bil project on open tender to all qualified companies.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was quoted saying that higher water tariff was the reason why the Selangor government objected it.
Noh said the Selangor government should cooperate to resolve the issue and not accuse the federal government and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).
“They want to be heroes in all issues at the expense of the people. The BN government is willing to do anything for the people but the Selangor government only wants to play politics.
“This problem can be resolved after BN takes over the Selangor government,” said Noh who is also Selangor Umno deputy chairman.
He slammed the Selangor government for paying Syabas (public money) to provide free water to the people.
“The distribution is also wrong as it is given to the rich and poor although it should only be given to the poor.”
Mohamad Fuad, who was involved in Sungai Langat 2 project study in the 80s, said a sustainable and reliable solution to the Selangor water crisis must be found.
“The water treatment plants in Selangor are runing at 120 percent capacity 24 hours daily and this will have consequences.”
He said the cost of channeling water from the dam to the treatment plant will cost RM4 per cubic metres but based on a similar project in Penang, the people may only need to pay RM1.20 per cubic metre after aid from federal government.
