(The Star) - The Selangor Government will not interfere in the tender process of the Langat 2 water treatment plant, but has reminded the Federal Government and potential contractors that it holds the right to approve or reject developments under the Land Code.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state government’s jurisdiction includes granting permission to enter a site and planning approval.

“The move by the Federal Government (to start the tender process) falls under its purview. But we would like to remind those submitting their tenders and the Federal Government that the state has some powers under the Land Code and we will exercise them responsibly,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting yesterday.

He said the state legal adviser had been asked to consult several lawyers before drafting a public statement on the powers of the state government on the matter.

Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) will start the development of the controversial RM3bil Langat 2 water treatment plant by issuing its first tender document today for the building of the plant.

The biggest package in the tender will be the estimated RM1.2bil 1,130MLD (million litres per day) Langat 2 water treatment plant.

On the move by 711 residents to file a lawsuit against the state government and water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and Khalid for not giving them free water, Khalid said it would be a test case.

“We won’t block (the lawsuit). It is a test case that will provide the opinion of the court on public welfare,” he said.