KAJANG: PKR candidate for Kajang, Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the move by Putrajaya and the Selangor state government yesterday, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end Selangor’s water woes.
“We wanted an immediate solution. In principle, we agreed for a fast solution because we don’t want to burden the people,” said Anwar, during a hi-tea session at Taman Koperasi Cuepacs, Kajang.
Under the MoU, the state government will issue a development order for the construction of the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (Langat 2) and its distribution system (LRAL2) (Package 2A), and ensure that all approvals and authorisation related to the project are approved within 30 days.
In return, the Selangor state government would be allowed to acquire water assets from concessionaires Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash), and Konsortium ABASS Sdn Bhd (ABBAS).
In addition, the federal government would also inject funds worth RM 2 billion to Selangor to facilitate the acquisition.
The restructuring exercise is important in ensuring sustainable and efficient water supply services in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Whether the move was aimed to stop Anwar from becoming the new Selangor menteri besar, the PKR supremo dismissed the notion outright.
“It is helping me as it provides an immediate solution ( on the water issue),” he said.
The Election Commission (EC) has set March 11 as the nomination day for the Kajang polls. The by-election would be held on March 23.
The state seat comprises 39,728 registered voters. In the last general election, 2013, the seat saw a voter turnout of 87.9% with 541 spoilt votes. It has 48% Malay voters, Chinese 41%, Indian 10% and others 1%.
Barisan Nasional had announced MCA vice president Chew Mei Fun as the candidate for the polls.
Other joining the foray are former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former dangdut singer Herman Tino. The New Gen Party is expected to announce its candidate sometime next week
