BANTING: The PKR-led Selangor state government today has blamed Barisan Nasional and Umno for the recent water contamination at Sungai Semenyih, claiming it was an act of sabotage.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, in making the allegation, said it was done in an attempt to undermine the state government's capability in handling the issue.
Speaking to reporters today, Azmin, who is PKR deputy president, also claimed that the state government has "strong evidences" to back the claim.
"From initial reports and evidences collected, there were tendencies that this incident was an act of sabotage by BN and Umno to undermine Selangor government," he said after the groundbreaking ceremony of Labohan Dagang Water Treatment Plant project in Mukim Tanjung 12, here.
The MB said the state government believed BN and Umno were behind the incident by looking at, among others, the way the contamination had happened.
"From our investigation, it was seen that the way of contamination was pretty standard and very systematic.
"We have strong evidences in the case of Sungai Semenyih, and the Department of Environment and the Attorney-General's Chambers are completing their investigation.
"At state level, we have taken stern action by seizing the land owned by the company that had caused the pollution, as well as all its equipment."
Azmin also alleged that the Sungai Semenyih incident was not the first, saying that "it was serial (bersiri)."
He said the state government has ordered all local governments to take immediate action against illegal factories found operating at all river basins in Selangor.
He said the actions include seizing the land used by these factories and their machineries.
When asked about the evidences collected - which showed direct involvement of BN and Umno - Azmin merely said: "I'll leave it to you to interpret."
To a question if the state government was planning to initiate legal action against the two political entities, Azmin said: "Let the rakyat (people) to do the punishment."
Last month, the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant was closed three times in the span of 48 hours due to unidentified odour in the river's raw water.
Investigations conducted following the incident had led authorities to an illegal company that operated near the river.
The company was ordered to close down early this month, while its land and equipment were seized by the Kajang Municipal Council and Hulu Langat Land and District Office.