Selangor MCA today questioned whether private water tanker contractors had taken advantage of water rationing after they bought water from Syabas, and demanded an answer from the state government and Syabas.

Selangor MCA information bureau deputy chief Tan Bok Koon ( left ) today produced a document entitled ‘Water buying procedure for factories/industry’, which listed nine water tanker contractors to serve the industrial community, as proof of the existence of such contractors.

“As far as I know, there were 300 (private) water tankers serving the industrial community in Klang, and I believe the number of tankers throughout the state may reach a thousand,” he said, claiming that such operators had taken advantage and made a huge profit out of water rationing.

Taking Klang as an example, he claimed the price for water per tanker has increased from RM500 to RM1,200 recently.

Given the huge amount of money involved in the ‘water deal’ for the state, Tan alleged that there should be an adequate of water to distribute around the Klang Valley.

“Hence, the state government and Syabas need to explain why there’s a need to resort to water rationing?” he told a press conference at Taman Perindustrian Utama Bukit Raja, Klang where more than 10 private tankers had queued up at a Syabas pipeline to take on water.

He also demanded that the state government immediately cease its water rationing plan, and there shouldn’t be any extension of water rationing until May, he said.

The group of 10 MCA members also conducted a short protest at the site, holding up banners which read, ‘Whose profit is this?’, ‘The people are short of water everyday, while water is sold here on a daily basis’.

During the visit to the site to observe the frequency of private water tankers obtaining water, Tan noted that most of the water tankers carried private logos.

Around 15 water tankers were waiting along the road to take on water. A few personnel wearing Syabas uniforms and vests were also spotted setting up counters near the pipeline, but they were reluctant to speak with the media.

“This is a legal (business), I came here to take on water every day since a month ago,” said a water tanker driver only known as Subra, who claimed ignorance about how much water was sold and to whom.

The document Tan obtained also states the details of payments, venues and price of the water. It states that Syabas doesn’t provide water tankers.

‘Industrial operators can apply to Syabas for water’

However, Syabas chief operating officer Lee Miang Koi denied that the company has issued contracts for selling and transporting water to the industrial community.

“We assist the industry as much as we can. We use our water tankers to send water to clinics, hospitals, dialysis centres, and those requiring help for wedding receptions and funerals,” said Lee.

Industrial operators can apply to Syabas for water, and Syabas will allow the application if it still can be accommodated and there is water to spare, he said.

Syabas only charges RM100 per lorry for administration purposes and water quality testing, and the water is charged at RM2.07 per cubic metre, he said, adding that whatever is charged beyond this is beyond the control of Syabas.

“We have no control over the water price nor do we dictate it,” he said.