KUALA LUMPUR: Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili believes that the criticism leveled against the Selangor government over its ongoing water supply crisis is justified.
However, the minister declined to elaborate on the issue, which came about following the refusal of the PKR-led Selangor government to finalise the state’s water restructuring exercise with the federal government.
“I do not want to comment any more than what has already been discussed. Wait until the winding-up (in the Dewan Rakyat), then I’ll answer.
“However, what was reported (regarding the water supply crisis and restructuring in Selangor) is based on facts. I do not wish to comment further before the Selangor government offers their take on the matter,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
The minister was commenting on reports by the New Sunday Times and BH Ahad on Sunday, which stated that the Selangor government was using allocations provided by the federal government to provide free water to Selangor folk, instead of using it to restructure the state’s water industry.
Failure by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to finalise the agreement has led to numerous initiatives being stalled, such as upgrading of assets and infrastructure, which has resulted in frequent water supply disruptions, thus affecting the people.
It was also reported that despite being the country’s most developed state, Selangor’s water reserve margin pales in comparison to other states. Its reserve margin of around four per cent, compared to a healthy margin of between 15 to 20 per cent, means that more areas will be affected if there is an interruption in water supply.
Meanwhile, when asked on the Federal Territories Ministry’s proposal to set up its own water department to manage water supply in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Ongkili replied that the matter is still at the discussion stage between the two ministries.
He however acknowledged that there is a need to make the idea a reality, given that Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya both depend on Selangor for water supply, and that the opposition-held state’s water crisis has directly affected the two areas.
“This proposal has long been discussed but we need to ensure that it is in accordance with regulations and Act 665 (of the Water Services Industry Act 2006).
“Among the outstanding issues are that the pipes, infrastructure and water supply are included in existing concessionaires under the Selangor government, even though it (the management) isn’t perfect, and is beset by problems.
“But if they want to take water directly from Putrajaya and manage it as an additonal aspect to the existing water supply, then yes, it can be considered,” he said.
Ongkili said the Federal Territories Ministry can use underground water sources, rain water filtration as well as mining pools, given that there are a numerous raw water sources in Selangor.
“We first have to establish the amount of water needed for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. However, the idea has merit,” he said.
On Sunday, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the ministry had submitted a proposal to the cabinet for Federal Territories to have its own water management body. He said it is now awaiting approval from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (KeTTHA) for the establishment of the Federal Territories Water Department to manage water supply in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Tengku Adnan had said that based on the ministry's study, lakes and existing technology in Putrajaya are capable of supplying water to Kuala Lumpur, adding that this will reduce dependency on water supply from Selangor. -- Reporting by Nazura Ngah; Hidir Reduan; Luqman Arif Abdul Karim; Ahmad Suhael Adnan and Arfa Yunus