The recent water disruption in Selangor just days after the state guaranteed there would be no water rationing has left the state government red-faced.

Answering critics over the failed guarantee, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said it was based on the state's calculations that showed there was sufficient water supply.

However, he said it is Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) water distribution capabilities, not a lack of water, which had led to the recent water cuts.

He was responding to DAP's Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua's statement this morning which said the Pakatan state government and assemblypersons had been made to look like "fools" over the water disruption just after issuing a guarantee.

"Well, it may look bad (on us) but the state having calculated all things, there is enough water," he told a press conference in Pulau Indah, Port Klang this afternoon.

Earlier today Pua criticised Khalid's explanation yesterday attributing the unexpected water cuts to Syabas, over which the state had yet to gain full operational control in the ongoing water concessionaires takeover exercise.

"The question is - why did the state government give the ironclad 'guarantee' if it now gives the excuse of 'no control over Syabas'?

"Did the state secure a 'guarantee' from Syabas before issuing the 'guarantee' to the public?" said Pua in his statement.

'Can't sack the sweeper'

Khalid meanwhile used an analogy of hiring a street sweeper to explain the state's dilemma.

"We say we have enough money to pay the sweepers, but suddenly people start shouting that the rubbish is not being swept.

"Then we find out the sweeper has gone on leave without informing us, what are we going to do?

"We want to sack the sweeper, but we do not have the power to do it," he said.

Khalid said he had met the National Water Services Commission (Span) to demand for answers as Span had refused to allow the Selangor government to step in and takeover Syabas.

"I went to see Span. I said you didn't want to give me the power, so you better tell me what's going on.

"Span has issued a statement today that Syabas is facing problems and they should be announcing it," he said.

'Judge us after takeover'

He also flayed Syabas for refusing to send its top officials to attend the state's water briefings which are held every two days to monitor the water supply status.

"Even the ministry's secretary-general attended, but from Syabas the chairperson, the chief executive officer and its senior management do not turn up," he said.

He added the five top officials in Syabas have a combined monthly pay of RM3 million.

"This is compared to the more than 50 people whom we call for the meeting, whose total pay does not even amount to RM150,000," he said.

He asked critics to be patient while Selangor's takeover of the state's water infrastructure is in progress.

"Say if the take over happens in July, then within six months if there are still problems, then people can call the government stupid or whatever.

"If within six months from the takeover there is no resolution, only then it can it be said we have failed to do a good job," he said.