KUMPULAN Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) has been identified as the front runner for the RM2 billion water treatment plant project in Hulu Langat.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said yesterday his ministry will propose that KDEB be handed the project, confirming an earlier Business Times report saying that a unit of KDEB was likely to win the job.
The estimated cost of RM2 billion is inclusive of land acquisitions, as well as the construction of a reservoir and water treatment plant. The plant will treat the water transferred from Pahang via the billion-ringgit Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project.
"The managing director of KDEB has asked if they can be involved in the construction as well as the running of the Hulu Langat water treatment plant. I have considered their request. I propose that the construction (of treatment plant), which will be owned by Water Asset Management Co (Wamco), be given to KDEB," said Dr Lim after the opening of 4th National Utilities Summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Wamco, an entity owned by the Ministry of Finance, will own and manage most of the country's water infrastructure. Wamco was set up so that water companies can solely focused on delivering good services to end-users, without worrying about the costs and the management of infrastructures.
Industry sources have said that Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd, a unit of KDEB, will undertake the job.
They said cost of the treatment plant and the rates Selangor would pay Pahang for the raw water are close to being worked out.
Dr Lim also said that the construction of the Pahang-Selangor water transfer project will begin early next year and the tender for its construction will be out in a month's time.
