SHAH ALAM: Umno Youth has urged the government to take over the management of basic amenities, including water supply services.
Its executive committee member, Datuk Nazir Hussin Aktar Hussin said this was because problems surrounding such basic services frequently occurred and burdened the public, especially residents of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor as well as rural areas such as in Kelantan.
He said water management now fell under the state government or private agencies, and high costs were involved.
“Hence, Umno Youth hopes the prime minister will rethink measures to take over water management (from the relevant state and private agencies).
“What is the point of aiming to become a developed nation if the public continue to suffer from lack of basic necessities.
“This seems to be a never-ending problem, and the government needs to do something immediately,” he said in a statement today.
Nazir, who is also Umno Youth Urban Affairs and Housing chairman said there were many conflicts over management, renovation needs, cost increase for repair works and upgrading works were still pending but yet no one seemed to be taking responsibility to resolve the issues.
Nazir said Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) and the Selangor state government should have met and resolved water supply issues in the state a long time ago.
“They could even have asked for help from neighbouring states like Negeri Sembilan and Melaka to lend water tankers.
“Umno Youth is planning to bring in water tanker lorries to Kuala Lumpur to help families who will be having wedding ceremonies this weekend. It is also to help residents who live at apartments,” he said.
It was reported that several areas in the Klang Valley had been having water supply issues following damage to the Sungai Selangor Phase 3 (SSP3) water treatment plant.
While supply is expected to resume on Sunday, the damaged plant has affected 563,622 account holders.