Pahang's RM2.1bil debt to Federal Govt written off via water restructuring supplementary agreement, says MB

KUANTAN: Pahang's RM2.1bil debt to the Federal Government has been written off through a supplementary agreement on the restructuring of the state's water services industry.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said this was a historic moment and the state government felt lucky because, with the signing of the agreement, Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad (PAIP) could now spend RM920.5mil in stages to resolve water supply issues in Pahang.

He thanked the Minister and Deputy Minister of the Environment and Water Ministry, Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) chairman and all parties who had worked to make the agreement a reality.

"With allocation from PAAB, it will make it easier for us to plan capital expenditure to provide water supply services to the community in Pahang.

"It also makes our work and planning smoother. As I mentioned in the state assembly recently, the Pahang government is very committed and serious in solving the water supply problems in Pahang," said Wan Rosdy in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

He said the supplementary agreement was signed by Environment and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, Pahang state secretary Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak, PAAB chief executive officer Abdul Hadi Ali and PAIP chief executive officer Saiful Zaini Mohd Bokhari.

Wan Rosdy said he witnessed the signing with Deputy Environment and Water Minister Datuk Mansor Othman and PAAB chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.

"With the signing of the supplementary agreement, the implementation of the Pahang water services industry restructuring can be enforced.

"The agreement also enables PAIP to start improving the efficiency and quality of water services to consumers with the construction of new water treatment plants, upgrading of existing plants as well as the replacement of pipes and distribution systems," he said.