Idris Haron: People must know why Johor stopped raw water supply to Melaka

MELAKA: People have a right to know why Johor has discontinued supplying raw water to Melaka, says Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

The state Opposition chief said that people should know the reasons behind the discontinuation of supply to the Jus Dam by Johor since last year and also the concrete measures initiated by the state government to resolve the water crisis.

"Currently, the state leaders conveniently blame the previous administration for their own weakness in managing water resources," said Idris in an interview on Monday (Feb 3).

The former Chief Minister said he had to face the worst weather - including EL Nino and a low volume of rainfall with prolonged dry weather - when he was in office.

"I also faced a catch-22 situation during the Chinese New Year period during my tenure as the Chief Minister but we tried to avoid water disruption through various measures.

"It is unfair to those who are still celebrating their Chinese New Year to face the rationing," he said.

Idris said that the 24-hour rationing on alternate days is burdensome for locals and contingency plans should have been drawn up when water levels at the Durian Tunggal, Asahan and Jus Dams were running low.

He said there are many ways to address the shortage and the state government needs to quickly fix the issue.

"Melaka residents are facing hardship with the rationing exercise, especially families with young children and old folk," he added.

Melaka started the rationing exercise that is affecting close to 60% of its population on Jan 29.