KUALA LUMPUR: With water shortages already taking its toll in a number of Malaysian states, the government is looking to address the issue head on through a new special committee. According to Green Technology, Energy and Water Minister Peter Chin, the government will look to address new projects to help boost access to water in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. “The committee is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and includes Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik, and myself,” he told reporters on Thursday. Speaking from the sidelines of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Conference 2012, Chin said that the committee was agreed upon during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. He said that the committee would tackle the issues in a “holistic manner.” “We are studying all the issues of these two matters, all issues regarding the water supply in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya,” he added in reference to Syabas' proposal to ration water and the Selangor state government's request to take over Syabas operations. The move also comes as residents fear increased water shortages during the holy month of Ramadan. Syabas Chief Executive Officer Ruslan Hassan told reporters earlier this week that the water situation is expected to become worse with the approaching fasting month of Ramadan. Malaysians use more water and remain at home more during the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, which puts more pressure on resources across the country. “Water consumption is indeed higher every Ramadan and with the current condition where demand has exceeded supply, we fear the worst. “It is best for the Selangor government and all the parties involved to come to a solution," said Ruslan after visiting residents of Taman Sungai Besi Indah, who have been experiencing on and off water cuts since April this year. The government has said it is attempting to boost resources, but until now, has been unable to provide residents with an increase in water to meet their needs. Ruslan said Syabas is powerless to conduct water rationing exercise, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN). The Commission said that it was working toward meeting all demands across the country and was pushing forward new infrastructure projects in order to do so, but did not tell Bikyamasr.com when proposed projects would be completed.
