Source: New Straits Times | Wednesday, March 26, 2008

PUTRAJAYA : The federal government considers Selangor's water deal, inked before the general election, valid as long as the National Water Services Commission (Span) does not raise objections to it.

New Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the agreement stood unless Span, as the regulatory body, decided to nullify it.

The agreement was signed on March 7 by the former Selangor government and Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd for the operation, management and maintenance of a raw water collection and treatment plant in Sungai Sireh, Tanjung Karang.

"The deal is still relevant," he said at a press conference yesterday after receiving duties from his predecessor, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

Selangor state secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud had said that it was he, and not former menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who signed the deal, and that there was nothing wrong in doing so under a caretaker government.

Lastweek, newly-appointed Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state would review the agreement.

Shaziman also described Selangor's move to provide free water for the first 20 cubic metres as unwise.

"Selangor has the highest usage per capita of water at 240 litres per person, compared with the national average of 180 litres per person.

"Free water will lead to wastage Selangor is already facing water shortages, hence the raw water transfer project from Pahang."

Meanwhile, Shaziman said his initial focus as minister would be to meet all the regulatory bodies for the industries that come under his portfolio.

Shaziman, who last year called for the registration of bloggers due to postings critical of the government, welcomed a recent statement by Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek that the government should now engage bloggers.

"I only said we may want to consider registering bloggers. There is nothing wrong in blogging as long as they follow guidelines unqer the Multimedia and Communications Act. There is no harm in engaging them and listening to them."