Selangor PR MPs allege sabotage of water plan
by Yong Min Wei, The Edge
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs in Selangor have alleged the federal government “sabotaged” the state government’s plan to acquire water assets and concessions by its own plan to hold direct negotiations with the water concessionaries in the state.
The PR MPs said a joint statement yesterday they were disappointed with the National Water Services Commission’s (SPAN) announcement to have direct negotiations with the four water concessionaires — Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) and Konsortium ABBAS Sdn Bhd.
The state government had given them until Feb 20 to consider its offer of RM5.71 billion for their assets, which the PR MPs said was consistent with the terms and conditions in the concession agreements.
“It was a comprehensive offer because it encompasses the audited value of all water-related assets as well as a very fair and reasonable return to the capital invested by the respective concessionaires,” said the statement issued at a press conference at Parliament lobby.
The statement was endorsed by Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara-DAP), Charles Santiago (Klang-DAP), William Leong (Selayang-PKR) and Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-PAS) who are also members of the Selangor Water Review Panel.
Pua said if the federal government should offer to acquire the assets and concessions at the same or lower price than the state government, the Selangor Water Review Panel would agree to let the federal government lead the negotiations.
“We are still open to negotiations with the concessionaires,” said Pua, adding media speculation and market analysts had reported that the federal government was prepared to have a combined offer of as much as RM9 billion to the concessionaires.
Santiago said should the federal government come up with a lower offer, it should ensure the 20 cubic metres of free water given to the state’s population must also be part of the package.
He pointed out the Selangor Water Review Panel, after having seen the figures involved and consultation on water restructuring, believed the RM5.71 billion offer was adequate.
“If the federal government wants to provide a RM9 billion offer especially at a time when we are going through a major crisis, then this will constitute a bailout of the concessionaires,” Santiago added.
