Three ministries ready to help residents face water crisis

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the decision was reached after discussions were made with the ministries involved.

“We will work together to assist residents in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur who are currently facing a water supply shortage.

“My office had also held a special meeting involving the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Malaysian Highway Authority, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS), National Security Council, Association of Highway Concessionaires and Local Government Departments to coordinate the assistance,” he said in a statement.

Hishammuddin said the MAF are ready to arrange nine water trucks with the capacity of 10,000 litres each for the people in need.

“The Malaysian Highway Concession is meanwhile ready to move six water trucks with the capacity to hold 5,000 to 15,000 litres of water to critical areas.

“Local authorities are ready to move personnel and assets in the event that the assistance is still not enough.

“All of them will work closely together with SYABAS on the location and areas which are in need of assistance. SYABAS will also ensure the water in the water trucks have passed quality tests before being distributed to the residents,” he said.

Hishammuddin said the National Service Training Department (JLKN) will also be mobilising members of the National Service Volunteer Brigade (BSKN) to assist the elderly, women and residents carry water to their homes.

“In the next two week, the NS trainees will be mobilised to help the people affected by the water shortages as part of the community service module,” he said.

The MAF have already been mobilised since Feb. 13 to Kampung Selangor Dredging and Taman Arked in Dengkil and the PLKN camp in Paya Indah.