Umno minister Noh Omar has rained abuse on Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali for being too busy with politics to solve the state's water supply problems.

"Where has the menteri besar got time to think about the rakyat's problems?

"He is busy worrying about his party that is in a mess, his position as MB that is already shaky, pressure from all his messy (coalition) parties.

"More than that, he goes and messes with the political affairs of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed although his party is not agreeable.

"This is his preoccupation, where would he find time to think (about the problems)," said Noh in Semenyih today.

The urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister was speaking after distributing mineral water to residents with Semenyih assemblyperson Johan Aziz.

The area has been experiencing disruption in water supply for the past four days.

It is understand that more than 330,000 Syabas accounts, comprising more than 1.5 million people, are affected.

Noh, who is also Tanjong Karang MP, said that while water problems in Semenyih are not unusual, the past four days have been tough on the locals.

He urged the state government to study the factors behind the water shortage, instead of just resting on its laurels.

“I don't know if he (Azmin) has even gone down to have a look at this water issue. He needs to go down, monitor the people's problems, not just sit in his padded chair.

“He should be monitoring the water plants just like he monitors the state government. What is the cause of the water problems? Research needs to be done, not just research on elections,” said Noh.

He added that the state government had often blamed others in the past for the water disruptions, but was now quiet since it had taken over water management in Selangor.

Noh said there was no point providing free water in the state if there was no water available.

Semenyih assemblyperson Johan, who is also Selangor Umno secretary, said he would raise the water issue during next month's state assembly sitting.

Residents up in arms

Meanwhile, a resident named Rohani Baharom, 50, was unable to control her emotions when met by reporters.

Furious with the situation, she urged Azmin to see for himself the problems they were facing.

“We call on Azmin to come out, don't just sit in your air-conditioned house,” she cried, as her neighbours tried to calm her down.

Maziah Hashim, 42, was unhappy that the authorities had not warned them earlier that there would be disruptions to their water supply.

“They should have issued a notice earlier, so that we would have been able to store some water,” said the housewife.

Trader Roziana Kasim, 40, said she had had to close her shop ever since the taps went dry, and this had affected her earnings.

“I haven't been able to run my business because there is no water,” said Roziana.