Fifteen residents of Ampang and Pandan have filed claims at the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia for compensation from Syabas for losses caused by water disruptions.

They claimed there had been major water disruptions in their areas last December and in August this year, following a breakdown at the Wangsa Maju pumphouse.

NONE According to PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli ( left ), who accompanied the residents, the claims were filed under the Consumer Protection Act 1999.

Section 53 states that each service provided to the consumer must imply the guarantee of strict and good work.

He said that, had Syabas exercised its responsibility well, as well as carefully and competently, then the residents would not have faced the same problem twice within several months.

“Syabas did not exercise its job competently. That is why the pumphouse pipes were always breaking down and this violated the consumers’ rights such that they can claim for compensation via this tribunal,” he said.

Rafizi said the residents are seeking compensation of RM50 for each day without water supply.

The disruptions had occurred in durations ranging from several days to a few weeks.

Strong warning to Syabas

It was reported that in December last year, a breakdown at the Wangsa Maju pumphouse had disrupted water supply to 82 areas in Kuala Lumpur and Gombak, affecting over 89,000 consumers.

NONE On Aug 26 this year, over 91,000 consumers in 88 areas in Kuala Lumpur and Gombak faced water disruption again due to technical problems at the Wangsa Maju pumphouse.

Although the compensation amount is small, Rafizi said that the main purpose of the claim is to send a strong warning to Syabas that it was responsible to consumers.

"This is because before this, it didn't answer to anybody. If it wants to terminate the water supply, it will just terminate it for two to three weeks without informing anybody. And we need to ask them (to confirm the water disruption). It's troubling to the people."

He added the filing will also raise awareness among consumers.

Rafizi claimed that 213 water consumers in the state had filled up forms and were ready to file the claims, but this will be done in stages, starting with 15.

He said that the tribunal had fixed Oct 3 this year for the hearing and both the 15 residents and Syabas will attend.

"We will prepare the lawyers and help them with the case," he added.

The PKR strategic director believes that this is the first time that Syabas has been brought to the tribunal, which is under the purview of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

As such, he said that the minister is now obligated to answer to Parliament regarding the case.