Melcat to ex-CM: Show us proof that Johor stopped water sale to Melaka

MELAKA: Following contradictory statements made by the former and current chief ministers regarding the sale of raw water from Johor to the state, the Melaka Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Melcat) says it will accept evidence that Datuk Seri Idris Haron supposedly has on the issue.

Melcat chairman Damian Yeo said Idris, the current state Opposition leader, could submit the evidence in confidentiality over his allegation that Johor had stopped supplying raw water to Melaka.

Yeo also said Idris could stress his points at a meeting on water rationing that Melcat would be holding on Thursday (Feb 6).

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

"Melcat will act fairly on this issue without taking sides.

"The meeting itself is aimed at looking into water shortage issues as well as improving the supply infrastructure," Yeo said on Wednesday (Feb 5).

Yeo, who is Melaka DAP secretary and Duyong assemblyman, said Melcat would also look into claims that information on the water rationing exercise was not effectively disseminated to the people.

In an earlier interview, Idris said he had evidence on Johor having stopped the sale of water to Melaka last year and challenged his detractors to prove him wrong.

The former chief minister said that logically, Melaka would not face water shortage if it had been receiving a steady supply from Johor.

On Tuesday (Feb 4), Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari said Melaka still continued to pump raw water from Sungai Gersik in Muar, Johor.

Adly dispelled the claim by his predecessor, pointing out that there was an existing agreement with Johor on raw water supply.