SHAH ALAM, February 11 – The state government is ready to bid quotations for the taking over of assets and equities held by four water concession companies to implement the restructuring of the water service industry in Selangor.

Dato’ Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state government will issue letters to the four companies; Konsortium ABASS Sdn Bhd (ABASS), Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Selangor Holdings Berhad (SPLASH) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) within two days.

Abdul Khalid said the offer made to the concession companies were reasonable and took into consideration the interests of all parties.

He said, no one would lose out from the offer and the profit rate given to the companies was also reasonable.

“Before coming to this decision, the state government through a special panel set up to study the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor had done in-depth studies on assessment and calculation of value of the assets and equities of all the companies,” he said in a media conference after chairing the weekly State Executive Council meeting this afternoon.

The state government hopes the offer will be agreed upon so that the restructuring process which began six months ago can be implemented before March 31st as stipulated by the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications.

“Cooperation from all parties will help to avoid an increase in water tariffs which would surely cause even more hardship on the people, especially in such bad economic times,” he said. 

Realising that the restructuring will involve the interests of the people, Abdul Khalid said the Menteri Besar’s Office will hold a briefing for the public at a date which will be announced soon.

He said, the briefing aimed to explain the background of the water restructuring process and its direction.

He said the state government was serious in ensuring the restructuring plan would be implemented properly for the benefit of the people. – NOOR ALLIA KASSIM