SHAH ALAM, June 26: The State Government expects for the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor to be completed in September this year.
This is due to the willingness of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to work with the State Government to resolve the issue as required by the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (WSIA 2006).
In this regard, the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that Najib expressed his willingness to discuss and asked the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Dr Mazimus Ongkili to hold discussions in the near future.
“In a letter dated June 19, the Prime Minister stated that he was very open and willing to discuss with the State Government to resolve the water services restructuring,” he said in a statement today.
The water industry restructuring process was initiated by the Pakatan Rakyat Government in 2011 as an effort to take over operations of supply, treatment and distribution from four private companies.
Previously, a series of discussions with the former Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin and several ministry officials failed to reach consensus.
According to Abdul Khalid, the State Government is currently finalising the concession acquisition draft such as the terms and conditions set in the WSIA 2006.
“We have also completed a draft on the responsibility and authority of all parties, including the Ministry of Finance Corporation (MOFIncorp), Perbadanan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) and the concessionaires,” he said.
Abdul Khalid said that it is hoped that Najib would get a clear message about the seriousness and commitment of the State Government to settle the water restructuring in the interest of the people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
