Source: Bernama, December 1, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is ready to work with international bodies such as the World Health Organisation to ensure the country's future generations will have continuous access to adequate water supply and sanitation services.

It is doing so as it fully subscribes to the fundamental principle that the basic right to water is indispensable for human dignity, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said Saturday.

Malaysia cannot imagine that even in the 21st century, there are over one billion people who lack access to water supply because in Malaysia, more than 96 percent of the people enjoy water supply while 98 percent have seen sanitary improvement.

He said this in his keynote address at the Roundtable Meeting of the East Asia Ministerial Conference on Sanitation and Hygience 2007 at Beppu City in Japan.

In view of Malaysia's advancements in the sector, Lim said the Malaysian government is ready to share its experience and know-how with least developed countries in East Asia to step up the development of water supply and sanitation.

Lim stressed on the very high priority that the Malaysian government places on providing clean water supply and sanitation services to people, especially since it also promotes public health and hygiene and thus reduces incidence of various diseases.

He reported to the conference on the various initiatives that the Malaysian government has taken, such as putting in place the regulatory mechanism to ensure sustainable development of water supply and sewerage services in the long run.

They also include strengthening the institutional framework by establishing a national regulator for both water supply and sewerage services to safeguard the interests of the consumers.

Among other measures are investing more than RM8 billion in the development of water supply projects and close to RM3 billion in developing, upgrading and refurbishing sewerage treatment plants to meet effluent discharge standards.