
PUTRAJAYA (May 20, 2015) – Following is the full text of the media statement from the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili on the restructuring of the Selangor water supply services.
“On Tuesday, I had a meeting with Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Azmin Ali to discuss the stalled implementation of the Master Agreement on the restructuring of the Selangor water supply services industry.
The meeting was to resolve outstanding issues and obstacles which had hampered the implementation of the Master Agreement. Before this, I had given the Selangor government a month up till April 30, 2015 to decide on continuing with the implementation of the Master Agreement.
I am pleased that yesterday’s meeting was fruitful and the Menteri Besar agreed to conclude the restructuring exercise as soon as possible by reviving the Master Agreement. We both also agreed to complete the restructuring exercise within 60 days.
We both also agreed to relook at the outstanding issues and find amicable solutions for the sake of the wellbeing of the people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya who are affected by water supply uncertainty.
With that, officials from both the Federal Government and state government will sit down immediately to proceed with the necessary actions required to implement the Master Agreement.
With this latest commitment of the Menteri Besar, the Selangor government also promised to honour all the commitments made earlier to expedite the issuance of necessary approvals for permits and land required for the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant and its distribution system.
Hence, the Federal Government is pleased that all its planned efforts to ensure the security of water supply for the people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is supported by the Selangor government.
The Federal Government is concerned that the stalled restructuring exercise and Langat 2 project have affected water supply security in the three regions of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya where reserve margin for treated water is about 2 percent, and there is also concern that the people will suffer more during this coming dry period as raw water reserve at various reservoirs is not at its usual level during this time of the year.
The uncertainty of future water supply has forced the authorities to take cautious measures in approving development projects that required water supply. To date, 803 projects including amenities, facilities, housing, commercial centres and businesses in Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur cannot take off.
It is paramount for the Federal Government that the Selangor government gives its unconditional commitment and agreement to conclude the restructuring and expedite the full implementation of the critical Langat 2 project which is much needed for the wellbeing of the rakyat and the development of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water also appeals to the public to conserve water and use water wisely during this upcoming four- month dry spell.”