Selangor, Federal govts hold talks to review water agreement

The Selangor and federal governments today held talks to review the terms on the state's water restructuring agreement.

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said the matter was discussed between State Secretary Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee.

"Today's meeting is not between the minister and the menteri besar, it is between top officials, with the state government represented by Datuk Khusrin and I was told the ministry was represented by its secretary general.

"I am made to understand that the meeting this morning was a good start and I will hold a follow-up meeting with the minister. I hope we get to finalise the spirit and principles of the agreement as soon as possible," he told reporters after launching the World's Water Day celebration here today.

On March 9, Mohamed Azmin said that the state government decided to revoke the agreement on the water restructuring on grounds that the federal government had breached several of the terms of the agreement that was signed last year.

Water, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili later clarified that the state government refused to sign three out of the eight terms in the agreement.