Restructuring of water industry to be resolved by September - S'gor MB

The process of restructuring Selangor's water supply industry is expected to be resolved by September following the commitment shown by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to cooperate with the state government to settle the matter.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state government had received a letter dated June 19, 2013 from Najib stating that he was open and prepared to discuss with the Selangor government to resolve the restructuring of water supply services as required under the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (WSIA).

"The prime minister said he had asked Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili to follow up on this by holding discussions with the state government soon.

"The state government sees this as a positive development as we are preparing the draft document to take over the concession companies according to the terms and conditions agreed upon and in line with WSIA," he said in a statement, here, today.

Abdul Khalid said the state government had prepared a draft on the responsibilities and jurisdiction of all parties including the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Perbadanan Urus Air Berhad and the concession companies.

He hoped the prime minister understood the sincerity and commitment of the state government to resolve the restructuring in the interest of the people in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid said the state government fully supported the proposal of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department to temporarily close the religious schools when haze readings in the areas concerned exceeded 300 on the Air Pollutant Index (API).

In this regard, he said all religious schools in the state should be temporarily closed automatically when the API readings exceeded 300 as directed by the Education Ministry.

"For API readings of between 250 and 300, the school administration should inform the department on the school closure. Schools in areas with API under 250 can remain open with limited outdoor activities," he said.