PUCHONG, February 22 – National Water Services Commission (Span) has made a huge mistake by deciding to take over purchasing the water concession from the state government, said Dato’ Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

He said, this action had caused the four concession companies offered RM5.9 billion for the takeover, to not be able to give a definite answer to the state government’s offer, as a new offer had been made by a third party.

However, Abdul Khalid said the state government was ready to allow the federal government, through Span, to continue with negotiations if there was no increase in water rates beginning March 31st and the state government would continue to give free water at 20 cubic metres to the people of Selangor.

Abdul Khalid also hoped the federal government would not offer a higher price than the state government’s offer to the concession companies.

“So if the federal government wishes to take over negotiations to buy the concession companies, it will be unacceptable for the Selangor state government  if the people of this state face water increase and cease getting 20 cubic metres of water free,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating the new Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Sin Ming, buliding near here today. – NOOR ALLIA KASSIM