KUALA LUMPUR: A leading Malaysian consumer activist has lashed out at the Selangor government over its handling of the water crisis in the region. Consumer Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) President Jacob George said that based on feedback he had received, “most people in Selangor were confused over who was right and wrong.” He argued that the state government “had also injected, as an after-thought, a new dimension to the water issue ― that water tariffs would increase if the Federal Government went ahead with building the Langat 2 water treatment plant.” George also said that a number of executive councillors (Excos) in the Selangor Government were formerly non-governmental organization (NGO) activists “who had been looking at things negatively, no matter how well-intentioned the federal government plans were, to improve conditions in the country.” It comes on the heels of continued worries in Selangor over water consumption, water cuts and fears that the state could face a massive crisis if action is not taken. “I have been involved with various NGOs for 37 years. I could see their game-plan (over water issues), their strategies and that's why they are bringing up irrelevant matters just to block what the federal government is trying to do," he told Bernama news agency. Earlier this month, government and activists said they were hopeful that new movement on Putrajaya's part will avert the growing concern of a widespread water crisis in the center Peninsula states. The government announced it was putting plans in action to erect a new water treatment plant in Selangor in an effort to curtail any future water shortages, which have already seen hit the area. Although both parties had been meeting regularly to discuss the important matter, no progress had been made because of the stance taken by the Selangor state government, activists told Bikyamasr.com. But the federal government has moved to tender for the project construction of the water treatment plant has been called and will close on September 20. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs a Special Cabinet Committee on the Selangor water issue, said on Saturday that the federal government “would go ahead with the Langat 2 [water treatment] project for the sake of the people." Following his announcement, the Selangor state government stated that it would instruct Majlis Perbadaran Kajang (MPKj) to take action against the federal government's decision to go ahead with water treatment plant project, highlighting the growing tension. July saw the emergence of political groups into the fray over water shortages in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) lashed out at the Selangor state government for not being transparent in its action plan to solve the water crisis in the state. Selangor BN coordinator Mohd Zin Mohamed told reporters that the Selangor government was still “flip flopping and deliberately prolonging the issue by using Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) as a target" to “confuse the people" on the water issue. “We are still waiting until today for the state government's plan to tackle the water crisis in Selangor. In fact, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had openly admitted there was no specific plan to solve the issue," he told reporters after handing over food for breaking fast to the public at the Shah Alam Commuter. In late July, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that water rationing was not needed at the present moment in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. His statement comes after more reports of water shortages in the central part of the country, which residents say is affecting their ability to provide adequate Ramadan meals for their families. Yassin said there were only several areas in the city and Selangor where there have been complaints of supply disruptions. For these areas, which included Pandan Indah in Kuala Lumpur and Kapar in Klang, Syabas has been ordered to send water supply, Muhyiddin said in a statement late last month. “In the current situation, rationing is not yet needed," he said at a press conference after chairing the first meeting of the special Cabinet committee on Selangor's water problems. 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 recently.
