Water woes: Mohd Jafni (left) and Zakaria checking the clarity of the water in a tank at a villager’s home in Kampung Agas, Kulai.
KULAI: More than 1,000 households in Kulai were upset that no prior notice of water disruptions were given to them, forcing them to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with dry taps.
Kampung Agas village chief Zakaria Khalid said villagers were caught off guard due to the lack of notice, thinking that there would be a steady supply of water throughout the festive season.
“The water supply was strong on the eve of Hari Raya last Tuesday but come the next morning there was not even enough water to wash our face, let alone to cook up a feast.
“Static water tanks were brought in later but the water was cloudy and smelly, making it unsuitable to cook or do laundry with.
“It was quite saddening that we had to go days without proper water supply as our loved ones have also returned to celebrate the festivities with us,” he said yesterday.
Zakaria added that villagers had to depend on mineral water bottles due to the scarce water supply.
Kampung Murni Jaya village chief Mohd Azam Saa’don voiced his disappointment in the state water operator as his village was also affected by the water disruption.
“Our village has been facing water disruptions for decades but none as bad as this.
“Although Ranhill SAJ provided static water tanks, my village has many senior citizens and the sickly. They have difficulties in getting water supply from the tanks themselves,” he added.
Mohd Azam hopes the water operator could take some drastic measures to improve the situation.
“Before the festive season, I attended their briefing about short-term and long-term measures but to me, (the efforts) have been unsuccessful.
“The water operator should get to the root of the problem as the people want to know what is the reason and solution,” he added.
Meanwhile, state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, who visited the villages, said about two weeks before Hari Raya, Ranhill SAJ had given its commitment in ensuring steady water supply statewide.
“It is sad that the opposite has happened as not only homes were affected, the taps were dry in mosques and shops, too.
“The situation has gradually improved and as of yesterday, about 100 households in Kampung Agas, Kampung Sri Muar, Kampung Sungai Sayong 1 and Kampung Murni Jaya still depended on static water tanks for supply,” added the Bukit Permai assemblyman.
Earlier yesterday, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government wants the water operator company to address each complaint.
“Ranhill SAJ needs to be more proactive in improving the quality of service for the good of the people,” he said.
