Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali has been asked to explain in detail the acquisition cost for the restructuring of the water industry in the state which is feared to have an effect on the rise in water tariff in future.

Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (Independent-Pelabuhan Klang) said the clarification was crucial as it was feared that it would push up the cost of acquiring the water concession company which would have an effect on the water tariff and subsequently burden the people of Selangor.

“The clarification made by the Menteri Besar (Mohamed Azmin Ali) yesterday was merely the RM2 billion cost but did not emphasise on the balance of the acquisition cost of RM7.65 billion.

“If the state government cannot explain to the rakyat on the breakdown of the RM9.65 billion (the original offer made by the state government on the acquisition) then there is a subsequent cost increase, it means that it will have an impact on the future price of water,” he told reporters when met at the lobby of the state legislative assembly building in Shah Alam today.

Yesterday, Mohamed Azmin (PKR-Bukit Antarabangsa), when replying to an oral question from Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Kajang) on the Selangor water industry, said the people of Selangor might have to bear the burden of future increases in the water tariff after the main agreement on the state water industry restructuring was finalised including the acquisition of concession companies.

Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid, who is the former Selangor menteri besar, also proposed that the acquisition of the management of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) and Puncak Niaga Berhad (PNB) was carried out now to ensure that water services for the people of Selangor could be well-managed.   

- Bernama