The Selangor government has requested for a one-month extension to April 9 to finalise the proposed takeover of the water concession from Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd (PNSB) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) by the state government.

PNSB and Syabas executive chairman Rozali Ismail said previously, the date was extended twice to Feb 9 and March 9, 2015, following the failure to fulfil conditions precedent in the conditional agreement signed last November.

The request would be discussed at the management level before consideration by the Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd (PNHB) board of directors, he said in a statement read out by Syabas chief operating officer Lee Miang Koi ( left ) today.

PNHB holds 100 percent stake in PNSB and 70 percent in Syabas.

However, Rozali said Syabas and PNSB would continue to manage the treatment plant and water distribution to consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, regardless of who took over the water management.

"I hope the Selangor and federal governments can immediately negotiate to resolve whatever problem, for the sake of the people's welfare and interest for proper access to clean water," he said.

Rozali said since 2008, the restructuring process had made direct and indirect impact, particularly in terms of the planning of new projects, and replacement of worn-out and damaged asbestos cement pipes over 6,423km.

There was a delay in the replacement of old pipes, upgrading work on the existing systems and many other programmes as the consortium restructuring process was not completed.

He said the situation had resulted in the rate of non-revenue water to stand at 30-35 percent and it might be reduced further, if the programmes could be implemented well.

- Bernama