The top guns on both sides of the Dewan Rakyat trained their sights on the government for abandoning the move to gather public and industry feedback on the National Water Service Commission Bill and the National Water Services Industry Bill.

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) and Backbenchers Club chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad (BN-Johor Bahru) were united in their demand that public views should be heard.

Deputy Energy, Water and Communication Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor nevertheless tried to defend his boss, Lim Keng Yaik, while winding up the debate on the Royal address today.

"As stated in the Jan 18 Hansard , the minister (Keng Yaik) agreed to form a select committee. However, after this was brought to the cabinet, it decided not to (set up) the select committee," he said.

"Based on reasons (I am) not aware of, the cabinet has decided that the select committee will not be formed. The cabinet has the power to decide whether or not to approve (the select committee)."

A special sitting of Parliament was held on Jan 18 and 19 to amend the Federal Constitution to transfer jurisdiction from the state to the federal government for the supply and management of water.

'Get public views'

Newspaper reports had also quoted Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz as saying that the committee would be chaired by Energy, Water and Communications Minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik. It would comprise six MPs, including one each from DAP and PAS.

"Who has taken Parliament and the rakyat for a ride? Why has the decision made on Jan 19 to form a select committee been pushed aside? Has the minister made a false statement? Has the minister lied?" asked Lim, who appeared furious.

The House cheered when he called for the ministerial reply to be adjourned until the minister himself attends the session.

Lim stressed that the ministry could not run away from settling the matter, saying "We have the right to know".

He claimed that, while private water organisations have been given sufficient time to provide input on this issue, consumers have not.

Shaziman, referring to the media reports, told the House that he had checked the situation with Nazri yesterday.

He said Nazri did not attend the cabinet meeting and therefore did not know how the cabinet arrived at its decision not to set up the special select committee.

Shaziman acknowledged the need to listen to the views of non-governmental organisations on the water privatisation issue.

He said the ministry met with the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations last Thursday to discuss matters relating to the transfer of powers on water management to the federal government.

Request made

Backbenchers Club chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad (BN-Johor Bahru) called for the committee idea to be re-proposed to the cabinet and said he hoped this would be set up in the next six months.

"Will you guarantee that the request is forwarded to the minister? The parliamentary select committee is not to inconvenience the government. We just want to help and to pave the way for the rakyat and interested groups to give their views," Shahrir said.

He said the ministry should be discussing the matter with the public rather than with state governments, which are "the problem creators".

Shahrir expressed doubt that ministry officials are present during parliamentary debate to take notes whenever the minister or deputy minister are not in the House, asking "Is the parliamentary secretary here?"

While he said he did not doubt Shaziman's capability as a deputy minister, he stressed that replies represent the minister and ministry. Thus, the minister and other ministry representatives should be held equally responsible for replies given in the House.

On this, Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib said: "All answers given in the Dewan Rakyat are given in the minister's name... it does not matter whether these (are delivered by) the minister, deputy or parliamentary secretary."

A calm Shaziman said the ministry has appointed two officials to attend the parliamentary sitting every day.

He added that, with the establishment of the National Water Services Commission (Span), water operators will have to submit applications a year ahead to revise tariff rates. Approval will hinge on feedback from consumers.