The Selangor government has given an assurance that the restructuring of the state’s water supply industry will be finalised soon.

Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said only one more issue is left to be resolved between the state and federal governments after further discussions with the Energy, Green Technology, and Water Ministry last week.

“I have met the minister (Maximus Ongkili) to discuss three issues. However, only one issue has not been agreed upon by both parties.

“I have also met with the prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) to ask his views on the approach to take in this regard,” he told reporters yesterday.

However, Azmin declined to comment further on the issue.

On June 17, the federal government urged the state government to continue working together for the implementation of the restructuring exercise and the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant project and its distribution system as agreed by the previous state leadership.

According to Ongkili, if the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor remained unresolved, the federal government could take over the operational control of water supply distribution in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya under Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006.

In another development, Azmin said they are now working with the federal government on Mitigation Project 2 to divert clean water from the north to the south of the state.

The work is expected to be completed in September to meet the high demand for water supply in southern Selangor, besides avoiding water rationing.

“For areas currently experiencing water shortage, we have directed Syabas to continue channelling water to consumers.

“Water tanks are also being built in areas frequently experiencing supply disruption as a long-term solution to the problem,” he said.

- Bernama