The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, today expressed sadness that the people were subjected to hardship over the recent unscheduled piped water disruption and called for firm action over the issue.

Istana Selangor said in a statement that His Royal Highness had written to Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stating what had to be done because the ruler is worried that a persistent water problem can give rise to tension among the people and disrupt social harmony.

The palace said the sultan was briefed on the recurring disruption in clean water supply in the state by Amirudin at an audience at Istana Bukit Kayangan here.

The statement said the sultan wanted stricter enforcement measures to be put in place and illegally erected houses and factories on the banks of rivers demolished as they had the potential to pollute the rivers and tributaries in the state.

It also said that the ruler had long called for a special committee to be set up by the state government to monitor and ensure that rivers remain unpolluted by chemicals or waste material that can jeopardise the supply of raw water to the treatment plants.

-- BERNAMA