SHAH ALAM: The State Government views the reported news on the readiness of the Federal Government to allow the state to conduct negotiations on the restructuring of water services and subsequently take over the state’s water industry very positively.

The latest state by the Federal Government is inline with the intention of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 which was primarily enacted to restructure and improve the efficiency of the water industries in Malaysia.

Selangor is ready to resume discussions and would like to stress the need to ensure that all three groups: the state, the federal government and the water concessionaires; are well represented to arbitrate the negotiation process.

For this purpose, the State would like to propose former Minister of Energy, Water and Telecommunications Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who is very familiar with WSIA and the country’s water industry, to lead the negotiation on behalf of the Federal Government.

The State is confident that together with the representatives of the State and the concessionaires, Dr Lim will be able to conduct a fair negotiation.

“We hope that the negotiation will reach to a conclusion that is in the interest of the public. The state is committed to increase efficiency of the water industry, reduce tariffs, and to maintain the free water for the first 20 cubic metre for all households in the state,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

PRESS SECRETARIATE

THE OFFICE OF SELANGOR MENTERI BESAR