Negri Sembilan’s outstanding debts to the federal government until Dec 31 last year stands at RM1.440 billion, said Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan.

He said from the total amount, RM1.188 billion was from the water supply projects.

“These water-related debts will be settled with the federal government as we already have a joint agreement for the last three years, through the National Water Service Commission. We have amended our water enactment and now the water is managed by both the state and federal governments.

“Through this cooperation, all water-related debts carried by the state government against the federal government will be taken over by the them,” he told the state assembly in Seremban.

mohamad hasan negeri sembilan mb Mohamad ( right ) was responding to a question from Loke Siew Fook (DAP-Lobak) who wanted to know the current status of the state’s debts and whether the debts incurred in the water supply project to the federal government has been totally abrogated as promised in the National Water Services Industry Restructuring package.

He said the debt of the state government was almost RM3 billion initially but the total amount has been reduced significantly.

Mohamad said the state government with the cooperation of the federal government was currently building the Sungai Triang Dam to accommodate the water needs in the state and once completed, it can reduce the current debts further.

“The debts of the state government incurred for the project will be shifted to the federal government,” he said adding that such a move will see Negri Sembilan becoming the state with the lowest debts.

- Bernama