SHAH ALAM, 31 Mar: Investment in Selangor will not be affected if Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) 2006 is used in the restructuring of the water industry in the state.
The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that this has already been executed in several states since the Act was introduced.
“WSIA was approved by Parliament in 2006 and was used for the restructuring of the water industry in Johor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca.
“And we use the same law for Selangor,” he said in a press conference at the Raja Tun Uda Library yesterday.
He said this in response to allegations by the Affairs Manager of Gamuda Bhd, Datuk Lin Yun Ling, who said that the use of the WSIA in the restructuring of the water industry will cause investors to flee.
“I think if the logic is seeking more money, then that is not the reason.
“Investors are more discerning. You try to maximise income as much as possible but when we execute a law, we must ensure that it benefits the people,” he said.
Abdul Khali added that the price offered by the water concessionaires is appropriate.
“I think that investors fleeing is not accurate and the share value has not dropped since the Act was used since 2006,” he said.
Abdul Khalid also said that he will meet with the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Wter, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and representatives from the Attorney General’s Department.
“This is related to the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor through Section 114 of the WSIA. The cabinet itself has agreed on this matter since August last year,” he added.
