Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin said the Selangor government's desire to acquire water supply companies in the state does not involve the federal government.

He said that there was no need for the state government to inform his ministry of the proposed acquisition and that his ministry had no powers to stop such a move. 

"To me, this is a normal commercial offer which requires the agreement of the vendor and the purchaser.

"Thus, the menteri besar doesn't have to make this issue seem as though the federal government disagrees with the state government making such an offer.

azlan "Instead of talking about this to the media, the menteri besar should call the interested parties for negotiations," he said during a press conference in Putrajaya.

Yesterday, Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said his administration aims to take over private companies which supply water to the state within 14 days.

This follows the green light given by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs the cabinet committee on water issues.

Abdul Khalid also mentioned that Chin's ministry had been informed of the matter.

However, Chin said that his ministry has yet to receive any correspondence as claimed by Abdul Khalid.

Meanwhile, Chin said his ministry does not have the power to compel any water concession company to sell their equity.

"If they don't want to sell, what can I do? They are politicising the issue. They want to politicise the issue.

"Why write to me? Why not use the proper channel?" he asked, while adding that his ministry will respond to such correspondence, if it receives it.