The Selangor Government has yet to issue the development order that would allow the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant despite the facility being delayed by a year.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said it was the second most important part of the RM9bil Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project.
“We are very anxious to get the project tendered out as we already have the specifications, drawings and even the funds.
“The only obstacle is the development order from the Selangor Government and this must be issued as soon as possible,” Chin said after visiting Malaysian Solar Resources Sdn Bhd, a producer of solar photovoltaic modules in Gambang here.
He added yesterday that the first component, a 44.6km tunnel bored through the Titiwangsa Main Range, was 29% completed and construction was ahead of schedule. It is expected to be ready in 2014.
Chin was asked to comment on the latest development of the raw water transfer project.
He said the Federal Government’s main concern was that residents and industries in Selangor, Federal Territory and Putrajaya would be able to obtain sufficient supply of raw water by 2014.
He blamed the Selangor Government for politicising the issue.
Chin said the state government appeared to want to restructure its water industry before settling issues relating to the project.
He argued that it should instead focus on ensuring enough raw water resources before embarking on the restructuring exercise.
“The water treatment plant needs at least two or three years to be completed and it should not be delayed any longer.
“If there is a water shortage in 2014, they will know who to blame, not Peter Chin or the Government.”
He said the ministry would not give up and would continue to hold discussions with the Selangor Government until both parties reached a mutual understanding.
The RM3.9bil water tunnel project expected to be the longest and biggest in South-East Asia and the sixth biggest in the world officially took off in April last year.
Once completed, the 5.2m diameter tunnel will pump 1,890 millions litres of raw water daily from Sungai Semantan in Pahang to the water treatment facility in Selangor.
