SHAH ALAM, 21 May: The State Government is expected to fully acquire the water services industry no later than six months from now.
The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that the State Government will submit to the Federal Government an action plan to ensure that the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor can be resolved as soon as possible to achieve the goal.
He said that the action plan was presented to the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili, through a letter dated May 21, 2014 (today).
“The water industry restructuring action plan aims for the restructuring process to be completed in three to six months.
“The State Government is confident that a solution can be achieved based on intensive discussions which are actively being held with the parties involved; Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB); the concession companies Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad (PNSB) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS); government agencies such as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and the Water Asset Management Berhad (PAAB), as well as the ministry, as the facilitator,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after the Executive Council meeting, which was also attended by the Executive Councillor for Education, Higher Learning and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali.
On May 16, Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad (PNHB) agreed for the two concessionaires owned by them; Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS), to be acquired by the State Government, amounting to RM2.47 billion and RM3.11 billion respectively.
Previously, ABASS shareholders agreed to the acquisition of equity, assets and liabilities for a price of RM900 million.
With this, three of the four water concessionaires have accepted the acquisition by the State Government, while Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH) has yet to agree on the offer.
The schedule for the restructuring action plan provided by the State Government, among others, involves an offer letter from KDEB to the shareholders of the three concessionaires that have accepted the offer and the establishment of the Joint Committee for the Implementation of Langat 2.
