Current Affairs

SYABAS water rationing warning exposes lack of seriousness and competence

tonny-puaThe announcement of water rationing in certain areas in Selangor has come as a shock for residents and Pakatan leaders, after the state had previously announced, that water rationing will not be exercised.

Yesterday, SYABAS issued a warning to residents in Gombak, Petaling and Klang of possible water disruptions due to alleged low-levels of raw water in Sungai Selangor, affecting up to 157,000 users. However this contradicted the announcement by State executive councillor in charge of youth and sports, infrastructure and public utilities, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, who said on 17 June 2014 that there were enough reserves to prevent water cuts in the state during the El Nino drought.

In a statement, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, has condemned the water disruption warning.

“This is a shocking and unacceptable development, and Selangorians are right to be both angry and worried about the deteriorating situation possibly culminating in another round of painful water rationing, ” he said, adding that the two month long water rationing exercise previously experienced since February was excusable, as the relevant authorities were taken by surprise by the harness of the unexpected weather.

Punish the incompetent, set up task force

Pua also asked that incompetence by relevant authorities be punished.

“Such degree of incompetence cannot be tolerated because it has embarrassed the Menteri Besar and the state government, as well as severely damaging Pakatan Rakyat’s credibility”

“Heads must therefore roll if the water disruptions were to continue and the state is forced to implement another round of water rationing”

“There can be no more excuses,” he said
The Petaling Jaya Utara MP also asked the Selangor state to heed Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming’s call to set up a high-level water task force comprising of MB Khalid Ibrahim, key elected representatives and state officials to find and review solutions to water woes.
Dr Ong had also called upon the state government to put in place contingency plans such as creating dedicated water disbursement teams in areas prone to water disruption and provide it with sufficient resources.
 
The El Nino drought is expected to hit Peninsular Malaysia at the end of the year or early next year, and is expected to severely affect water supply to residents in Selangor. -TheRocket

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