Former Melaka CM says ready to face the music if he lied about Johor water supply

MELAKA: State Opposition chief Datuk Seri Idris Haron says the Melaka Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Melcat) should determine if his allegation that Johor had stopped supplying water to the state is true.

"I am willing to face any consequences if I have lied in making claims on matters relating to raw water supply from Johor."

The former Melaka chief minister said they should ask the relevant officials in charge of water infrastructure to clarify what actually transpired over the water deal between the two states at the end of last year.

"I trust Melcat, as a reputable body, will search for the truth," he said on Thursday (Feb 6).

Idris also suggested that Melcat do a simple tabulation on the quantity of raw water from Johor and the amount of treated water channelled to end users.

"The calculations should be based on per-capita consumption, and from this, Melcat can determine whether the rationing exercise can be avoided if Johor did not discontinue supply," he said.

On Wednesday (Feb 5), Melcat chairman Damian Yeo Shen Li said he was willing to accept the "evidence" from Idris on the issue of raw water supply from Johor.

Yeo said Idris could disclose the evidence with full confidentiality.

Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari announced that the second phase of water rationing exercise could also affect tourist spots and industrial estates as water level at the main supply reservoir, Durian Tunggal, had reached a very critical level.

He said the implementation and mechanisms of the second phase would be announced accordingly.

Melaka started rationing exercise on Jan 29.

The 24-hour rationing is carried out on alternate days for an indefinite period, from 10am to 10am the following day, and affects 550,673 or 62.8% of Melaka's population.