MB: Rationing will stop when a dam's capacity hits 55%

SHAH ALAM: The water rationing exercise will only be called off when a dam’s capacity has hit 55%, said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

The Selangor Mentri Besar pointed out that as of yesterday, those in the state were below the 40% mark. As of Tuesday, the Sungai Selangor dam in Kuala Kubu Baru recorded a 36.67% capacity. Its critical level is 30%.

However, Khalid said the water rationing exercise would most likely not be continued after the end of April. “It has already started raining,” he added.

On the state’s restructuring of its water industry, Khalid said he would meet Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili tomorrow to discuss the modus operandi to invoke Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006.

“Both governments are in the midst of studying the suitable steps in invoking Section 114 so that no one is affected from the restructuring exercise,” he said after chairing the weekly executive council meeting yesterday.

Section 114 allows the Selangor government to buy over assets of the four concessionaries for RM7.76bil – about RM2bil lesser than the previous offers made.

The concessionaries are Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash) and Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd (Abbas). Only Abbas has accepted the initial RM9.65bil offer.

“Although the discussion is taking a long time, it is necessary to ensure that the implementation will be carried out smoothly and could not be challenged in court later,” Khalid said.

The Selangor government, he noted, was confident that the water restructuring would be carried through with the role played by the Federal Government, particularly the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

On a state-linked hotel that had to cease operations and retrench more than 100 of its staff at the end of next month, Khalid said he had yet to be briefed on this.

Defending the hotel’s move in doing so, Khalid said Quality hotel, under Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd, had adhered to all code of ethics in the Industrial Relations Act 1957.