SHAH ALAM, 27 May: The State Government will continue to defend their stance that the Langat 2 Plant project will only be resumed with the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor.
Former Exco of Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government, Dr Xavier Jayakumar warned the Federal Government to not force the project construction without the agreement of the Selangor Government.
“We want to warn (Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water) Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid to not continue to ‘bulldoze’ the Langat 2 Plant construction without permission and approval of the State Government.
“The right to the land and the water management is under the jurisdiction of the State Government as provided by the Constitution.
“A violation of this right by the Federal Government will become precedent.
“How can the Central Government practice discrimination and bully a State Government…this would tarnish the Federalism system…” he said in a statement today.
Mahdzir was quoted from a local newspaper saying that the Central Government is ready to continue discussions regarding the water issue in the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya together with the State Government.
Meanwhile, Dr Xavier said that the Selangor Government welcomes the readiness of the Federal Government to further find solutions regarding the issue.
“The Selangor Government welcomes the readiness of the Federal Government to hold discussions but it has to take into account the ‘soul’ and spirit of the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA 2006).”
Dr Xavier explained that the discussion is important for the management and distribution of water to be returned to the State Government.
Previously, a series of discussions with the former Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin, and several officers of the Ministry failed to reach a joint agreement.
Dr Xavier claims that Peter and ministry officers were seen to be leaning towards Syabas, the private company which was given power to manage the water distribution.
In fact, the offer of RM9.65 billion by the State Government to acquire Syabas and three other private water companies were also rejected.
Matters turned sour when the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and several Selangor Umno-BN leaders such as Datuk Seri Noh Omar and Datuk Ir Mohd Zain Mohamed objected to the takeover process.
“We want to stress that the delay in building the Langat 2 Plant will only cause ‘great loss’ to companies of cronies who circle around Umno leaders.
“And all the “stories” regarding the water crisis which has been hyped up by Umno-BN media since recently would be ‘invented’ to put pressure on the State Government in order to approve Langat 2,” said Dr Xavier who is also the Assemblyman for Sri Andalas.
