Source: The Star | Wednesday, March 26, 2008
By : V.P. Sujata

PUTRAJAYA: The concession agreement between the Selangor state government and Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd signed a day before polling day is still relevant, said Energy, Water and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor.

The agreement for the operation and maintenance of the Sungai Sireh water treatment plant was valid unless the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) declared it null and void, he added.

"The agreement is lawful as long as it is accepted by SPAN," he said.

Shaziman also said the Selangor Government's decision to waive charges for the first 20 cubic metres of water used by households was not a good idea, as people would tend to waste water.

In fact, he said, water usage in Selangor, which was about 240 litres per person, was higher than the national average of 180 litres.

"Free water will encourage people to waste water, a vital commodity that could be in shortage. That is why the Government decided on the water transfer project from Pahang to Selangor," he said.

He said the new state government had not presented the ministry with a concrete proposal on the free water, adding that such a plan would be feasible if the "state government has tonnes of money."

Shaziman was speaking to reporters after his predecessor Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik handed over his duties at the ministry here yesterday.

Asked about the electricity tariff, Shaziman said as long as gas and oil prices remained the same, there was no reason for the Government to increase the tariff.

He also hoped that the whole of Sabah would be provided with electricity by 2010.

On the status of the water transfer project from Pahang, Shaziman said the land acquisition process was going on at a Felda scheme in Pahang while the tendering process was also being evaluated.

Shaziman said his first task as minister would be to ask regulatory bodies under the ministry to take a friendly approach towards industries and expediting the issuing of licences and permits.