SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government will be commissioning its own water demand management study to ascertain the amount of water used by the consumers in the state at present and in the future.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Dato Seri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the current datas provided by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) may not be accurate in forecasting the needs of water consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.

The state is made to believe that the Federal Government relied on a “National Water Resources Study (NWRS)” which was commissioned by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in 2000. In fact, the Pahang-Selangor Water Transfer Project is also based on the study.

It has to be pointed out that the NWRS estimates of per capita water demand are not based on the Malaysian Water Association’s “Design Guidelines for Water Supply Systems” as we understand it.

Instead, they use a “Water Requirements Approach”, which is based on assumptions of national GDP growth amongst others, variables of which would have surely changed based on the global unstable economic market that has since affected Malaysia.

It is interesting to note the NWRS estimates for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur of up to 500-1224 litres of water consumed per capita per day (l/c/d) in 2010, as compared with per capita water consumptions reported for major cities of the world, such as Singapore (328 l/c/d), Sydney (214 l/c/d) and even New York City (420 l/c/d).

“We therefore have reason to believe that these demand estimates are inflated. If so, the basis to justify the Pahang-Selangor project is itself questionable,” said the Menteri Besar.

The statement made by chief executive officer of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS) yesterday (20th July 2010) that the volume amount of water produced is insufficient to cater to the steep demand for water must be substantiated with their version of water demand projections.

The state reiterates that our demand projections showed there is more than sufficient water produced to cater to the needs of consumers in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

The design capacity of all water treatment plants will be able to meet these demand growths. Furthermore, upgrading of water treatment plants to meet optimum production capacity is already in the process of being completed, hence there is no need to make a hasty decision on a multi-billion dollar project.

“Until a more transparent and detailed study on water demand is conducted, the only reasons that can account for the discrepancy of figures between the Federal Government and the Selangor government are either, one, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur consumers indeed use a large amount of water even higher than other developed cities of the world; two, that indeed Syabas has been unable to contain its gross water losses due to Non-Revenue Water (NRW); or three, the figures upon which we are relying are actually problematic,” said the Menteri Besar.

Instead of promoting one mega-project after another to sustain water demand, a water-demand management approach must be adopted by the Federal Government in their planning projections.
The state stresses that there is sufficient water supply for consumers in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur but whilst taking this position, we also promote water conservation and encourage prudent consumption, water recycling, rainwater harvesting, reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and exploring alternative water resources.

PRESS SECRETARIAT
OFFICE OF DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government today held a forum on the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) with some 200 civil servants, parliamentarians and state assemblymen.

Held in the Annex building here, the forum had begun with a special commentary by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Selangor State Economic Advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In his review, the Menteri Besar said the Federal Government is politicising its economic administration by ignoring the role of Selangor which contributes 20 percent to the economy of Malaysia.

“The term “Klang Valley” seems to have mysteriously been replaced by “Greater Kuala Lumpur”. For example, a chart in the 10MP document shows Kuala Lumpur’s contribution as a city to Malaysian development. In its footnote, “KL” actually “includes Petaling Jaya, Subang, Ampang Jaya, Shah Alam”.

“This is a strange move, as I would expect it is easier to refer to “Selangor” instead since all those areas fall within Selangor. This is affirmed further when Selangor is only mentioned four times throughout the 10MP document and even so only in reference to statistics.”

While Growth Corridors of Iskandar Malaysia, Northern Corridor Economic Region, East Coast Economic Region, Sarawak Corridor and Sabah Development Corridor are mentioned – but no major plans for development have been given to Selangor, which is a blatant dismissal of its importance to national development.

“But the fact is the Federal Government cannot afford to ignore Selangor – its economic worth is too high,” he said.

He also touched on the issue of “transforming government to transform Malaysia, including driving productivity” mentioned in the plan.

“However, they did not expand upon how they intend to achieve this. I would therefore recommend that the way forward is to introduce a productivity-driven government sector. The government should determine what its “tolerable wage” is. Ideally, when the economy expands, wages will also expand simultaneously.

He an “inflation-proof wages” system that is measured by productivity can be formulated which would allow all work should be measured. “Therefore their salaries will be based on productivity. Government salaries could be revamped by beginning with 50% of civil servants being paid for based on their productivity, while the remaining 50% continues working based on a monthly wage.”

Under this mechanism, it would also be possible to introduce minimum wages into the labour market, that is, a productivity-driven minimum wage. Productivity levels would be determined by the employer based on the average productive output.

“With this productivity-driven civil service salary scheme, it is possible to mitigate the effects of a ballooning government expenditure, the bulk of which goes to operating expenditure which essentially goes to paying civil servants’ salaries. We must urgently address the problem of our unwieldy expenditure, or risk our rapid debt to GDP ratio.”

The Menteri Besar also said that the 10MP also address the federal government’s intention to manage competition to “ensure fair competition for all companies including GLCs”. However, he said the current system and policy are prone to tremendous potential abuse.

Nevertheless, he added, private investment is required to propel the country forward but it has to be done with the right methodology.

“The Federal Government has been using the wrong model all this while. The solution is to never privatise cost, and only privatise revenue. The cost involved in a particular development project can easily be undertaken by the government through open tender.

Project management should be the part that is privatised as this is where companies can then come out with creative means of generating revenues and maximising profits.”

Therefore, he added, the federal government should privatise the section of a project where ideas, creativity, unique business models, can be proposed to generate greater levels of profit as the project would be given to the tenderer who is able to prove the best return on investment, the highest gross development value.

“Upon making the selection of a particular company able to prove this high GDV, the government then is able to raise funding, and then retender it for purchasers. This model therefore does not assume that a blanket process of “privatisation” takes place wholesale. Instead, the government should exercise wisdom and aptitude in selecting which parts of a particular project should be privatised, and which should remain nationalised for public interest. “

Meanwhile, Anwar said the federal government must cease private tenders that doles out projects to undeserving companies which neither has the ability nor the experience to deliver.

As to the issues of subsidies, he said priorities must be given to the people. “What’s the point we are talking about subsidized sugar, oil and other essential items that have direct impact the rakyat, especially low-income groups. What about the subsidies to the IPPs (independent Power Producers)? Here about RM20billion owned by millionaires who obviously do not need financial assistance from the Government.”

PRESS SECRETARIAT
OFFICE OF SELANGOR MENTERI BESAR

While the state supports efforts to curb corruption and abuse of power, the state will not tolerate any attempts to obstruct the running of its administration through repeated harassment against its officers.

The State Government would also like to stress that the Selangor state government circular dated July 28, 2009, which requires the MACC to conduct interrogations on state officials between 8am and 6.30am with the presence of a lawyer still stands.

The challenge by the Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail on the legality of the circular is ongoing. It is hoped that MACC and its officials will respect the circular, which protects all state employees’ rights.

The State also notes that to date all MACC investigations on state officials including that of the Menteri Besar, has focused on frivolous issues as depicted in yesterday’s raid on the office of YB Yaakob Sapari and the remand of his executive officer Hussein Ahmad.

The State is also alarmed by the information that MACC had conducted a search to Hussein’s home without a proper warrant. “The State Government demands an an explanation from MACC Selangor on the illegal search,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Furthermore, the MACC investigation involves a company that is not in fact within the contract award list for sand-mining activities. The accusation that an official trip to China was paid for by a contractor is also false, as the State government covered the RM3,295 for Hussein’s two-day trip.

It is therefore puzzling that MACC has spent substantial time and manpower to investigate these issues while cases involving millions of ringgits of the rakyat’s money have not been properly investigated including the RM1.7 million spent for the former Selangor Menteri Besar and his entourage to visit two Disneyland theme parks in the United States and France.

“What are the priorities of the MACC? It needs to set its priorities right so that it would not be seen as a political tool. If it acted professionally and independently, the state would have no qualms in providing assistance,” said Tan Sri Abdul Khalid.

PRESS SECRETARIAT
OFFICE OF SELANGOR MENTERI BESAR

The campus will be able to provide the relevant services like an advisory panel and assistance in seed capital, designing organizational structure, marketing operation and supply chain management – all needed to build a creative poll of entrepreneurs particularly those in the technology industry (technopreneurs).

The State Government will help by facilitating the linkages between technopreneurs and the Venture Capital funds, involve the universities to be the source of innovation and foster the establishment of a number of technopreneurs centres each focusing on a particular industry cluster.

As the state capital, Shah Alam should be the centre of such development and we have identified i-City in Shah Alam to provide such a campus due to many reasons. Apart from having a ready infrastructure and facilities, i-City has been given the “MSC” status which means that companies based there will enjoy the various benefits under the MSC Bill of Guarantees.
Being developed by i-Berhad, i-City has a strong entrepreneur root and such will be in good position to understand the needs and problems by the entrepreneurs’ community which makes it a suitable place an entrepreneur’s campus.

In order to ensure the success of this effort, the state is bringing in Californian Silicon valley-based Plug and Play and Play Tech Centre which has a strong record in establishing technopreneur community in the Silicon valley and therefore can be a good role model for the entrepreneurs’ campus in Shah Alam.

TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR

“We are aware of the financial reports posted on the website. But they have no details on the assets and fund given to it by the state. That is why we want it to be analysed and re-stated,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

The Menteri Besar noted that none of the reports had mentioned the the 1,300-acre plot of land in Serendah which is worth at least RM78 million (computed at RM60,000 per acre). “The land is a valuable award to the YBK but it was not mentioned in the accounts. This is just one example. So we call on YBK to be transparent and provide the whole truth.”

He also pointed out that YBK has not paid a single sen for the land since 2001 and it has not made any attempt to do so. It had only approached the state when it wanted to covert the status of the land from agriculture to that to residential and commercial.

Upon conversion, the land will be valued at least RM540 million (computed at RM10 per square foot). “For a land that is worth so much, it is quite unnatural for the state not to be concerned. The previous administration may not be concerned but Pakatan Rakyat cannot turn its back on the issue because it is responsible to every single sen of the rakyat’s money,” said Tan Sri Khalid.

He said as the people’s trustee to the state’s wealth and fund, the State Government must not only be transparent and accountable but also ensure that all decision and actions are beneficial to the people in line with its “Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor” policy.

The Menteri Besar also reiterated the state’s plan to issue a “white paper” detailing funds and resources it has provided to YBK in the past years.
The State Government had earlier requested for YBK to appoint the Selangor Menteri Besar as its chairman while the State’s EXCO for welfare be a trustee of the foundation, along with two other state government representatives. However, YBK has protested against the requests.

PRESS SECRETARIAT
SELANGOR MENTERI BESAR OFFICE

The State Government also thanks all residents for their patience and cooperation in ensuring that the re-opening was conducted safely and expeditiously.

As agreed in the meeting, the re-opening of the road for two weeks will not prejudice the ongoing legal disputes between BUCC and Dijaya. The move will now allow MBPJ to study the feasibility of widening Jalan Tanjung, Bandar Utama to a four-lane road from its current two-lane road.

This study is not limited to the widening of Jalan Tanjung, Bandar Utama and is part of a holistic traffic dispersal study to other access routes in search of long-term solutions to the problem of bad traffic conditions in Damansara.

Apart from the reopening of Jalan Tanjung, MBPJ has already begun its efforts to implement the short-term measure to ease traffic congestion which includes reassigning the U-turn at the junction of Jalan Tropicana Selatan and Jalan Hilir Bandar Utama near a nursery further up in the area; and building a road to link Jalan PJU1A/1 in Ara Damansara to Persiaran Tropicana.

The state is committed to find long-term measures to address the problem and will be calling all developers in Damansara to participate in the process.

TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM
DATO’MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR
PRESS STATEMENT
DECEMBER 1, 2009

The move was made after the state executive councilors meeting agreed that the report which was termed as “secrets”(rahsia) by the federal government be released to the public.

The report entitled “Investigation report on Lanslide in Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit Antarabangsa” (Kajian Siasatan Kejadian Tanah Runtuh di Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit Antarbangsa) was issued by the Public Works Department and was presented to the Menteri Besar by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) who received it from the ministry.

The public can buy copies of the report at cost from MPAJ office beginning Monday 23 December 2009. However, a summary of the report is available for free from MPAJ. “We hope that this report will assist us in tackling problems relating to hill slope development. The State Government will also study the report before meeting the community of Bukit Antarabangsa in January next year, “ said Tan Sri Abdul Khalid in a press conference after the meeting.

This is fourth report that was declassified by the Menteri Besar under Section 2c of the OSA since last week.

Press secretariat
Selangor menteri besar office.

He said Anwar will be sitting at the state economic advisory council for the state’s economic stimulus package. The council was formed last April to assist the state in implementing its stimulus package which
includes cleaning and developing the Klang River, urban renewal, restructuring of the Selangor water industry, enhancement of paddy yield, reviving abandoned housing projects, enhancing public transportation in Selangor and reviving abandoned housing projects.

There are eight other members in the council which include Tan Sri Ramon Navaratman, Tan Sri Clifford Herbert, Datuk Zainal Putih, Dr Barjoyai Bardai, Datuk Paul Low, Prof Sieh Mei Ling and Datuk Dr
Mohamed Ariff, who bring their respective and varying professional experiences and expertise in their roles as advisors.

Later at a press conference, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid also said that Anwar would play a key role in promoting Shah Alam as an Islamic investment hub for the region.

“I have met Anwar and he has consented to the appointment with a token monthly allowance of RM1. His experience cannot be doubted as he has been the Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister as well as director for a fund management company in United States as well as advisor for a large Islamic bank in Bahrain and economic advisor to a country in Europe,” said Tan Sri Abdul Khalid.

TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR

The EXCO was informed that the 20-acre landfill has been operating illegally for at least five years and it has been declared a disaster area since September 4, 2009 and there has been an ongoing effort to extinguish fire in the 300-feet high mount of garbage.

MPS informed us that it had issued several compounds in the past years to stop the illegal activities to an individual who claimed that he was authorized by the owners to run the landfill but to no avail. There were also efforts to take the matter to court to obtain an injunction to stop the landfill activities.

The EXCO has also been informed that on January 25, 2007, the Gombak District Office has issued Form 7A, Notice To Remedy a Breach of Condition under Section 128 of the National Land Code, for the registered owners to make remedies on the breach of usage of land. Since no action has been taken to date, the EXCO today instructed the DO to issue Form 8A, or Notice of Reversion to the State, to forfeit the land from the four owners.

Following the completion of the forfeiture, MPS has been instructed to monitor and clean the area. The council has also been advised to seek the expertise of Worldwide Holdings Sdn Bhd for the rehabilitation of the area.

As for the fate of the two cattle farms, the EXCO was informed that the farming activities are not legal although some dues were paid to MPS for the structure on one of the farms. The State believes that it cannot allow anymore farming activities at the area due the contamination and pollution.

The EXCO has also identified a 100-acre site in Hulu Selangor suitable for farming activities and these two farmers will be temporarily be relocated to the area following which they can apply to lease the land from the state permanently. The site will also be made available for lease to other cattle farmers who operating throughout Selangor.

TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM

SELANGOR MENTERI BESAR

Alhamdulillah praises to The Almighty for we are again blessed with this joyous celebration of Aidilfitri. My wife Puan Sri Salbiah binti Tunut and beloved family join me in taking this opportunity to wish everyone, especially the good people of Selangor, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilifitri and Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Let us join our hands in prayer and thank Allah SWT for all the blessings we have received since the last Aidilfitri and above all, for giving us the strength and will throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

In the course of us observing the holy fasting month, there have been several incidents which may have caused disharmony among the good people of Selangor, Muslims and non-Muslims. To all, I request that we ask for each others’ forgiveness for any misgivings. To the non-Muslims I hope they understand that the actions of some do not represent and embody the sentiment and spirit of the majority of Muslims in the state of Selangor. Having said that, I believe the Muslims understand that this applies to them as well.

Time and time again the state government pledges its commitment to uphold and preserve the harmony and unity among the good people of Selangor. In accordance, we have introduced policies of Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor, transparency and accountability, taking into account the state’s responsibility to observe the constant upkeep of these principles.

Fellow Muslims, the fundamental principles of Islam teach us to practice patience and wisdom in our conduct. Islam emphasizes on tolerance and respect, for our Muslim brothers and sisters, and our non-Muslim brothers and sisters. Our faith lies in the belief that in a state such as ours, Islam protects and blesses both the former and the latter.

I take this opportunity to remind ourselves that Islam lays the utmost emphasis on civility and courtesy. It is up to us to set an example, the humility promoted by Islam in this context and in general. Let us join hands and forgive each others’ imperfections, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Let us aspire on this blissful occasion to adopt and exercise these noble values taught by Islam, and apply them throughout this beloved state as our way of life not only in words but in actual conduct. In doing this we set a standard for others to not only take example but apply as an alternative way of life. We would make these noble principles and values the basis of our civilized society. The true interpretation of these values contribute to better discretion on our part, showing us what is truly right and what is not.

At the end of the day, we have to constantly scrutinize ourselves as Muslims. We need to mend our ways and enrich our akhlak to be the best Muslims. We have been given the chance yet again to repent, thus we resolve to do so with sincerity and leave behind our erroneous ways, for the sake of our family, our neighbours and our society. 

Again I would like to take this opportunity, along with my wife and family, to wish a glorious Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir dan Batin to everyone especially the good people of Selangor, Muslims and non-Muslims. I hereby invite you all to celebrate with myself and family, on the first day of Aidilfitri, beginning 10am to 3pm at Pusat Konvensyen Shah Alam (SACC).