Selangor BN chairperson Noh Omar has demanded that Menteri Besar Azmin Ali “honestly” reveal the cost to take over the state's sole remaining private water concessionaire, Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash).

This is following the war of words between Azmin and his predecessor Khalid Ibrahim, who revealed on Nov 5 that the state government offered RM2.94 billion for Splash - almost 11 times higher than the sum originally offered, RM250 million.

"We were shocked when Khalid raised the matter in the state legislative assembly, asking the state government why it is now willing to buy Splash for RM2.9 billion, several times higher than what was offered before - RM250 million.

"But Azmin rebutted and claimed Khalid agreed on the (new) price," Noh told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Last Saturday, Khalid had denied that he had agreed to increasing the acquisition offer to RM2.94 billion during his rule between 2008 and 2014.

"The issue here is the people of Selangor want to know the exact sum needed to purchase the shares as they are going to foot the bill later," said Noh.

"The menteri besar needs to answer honestly and sincerely the exact amount needed to pay Splash," he said.

On another matter, Noh, who is also the urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister, reiterated his ministry is still studying the consequences of allowing developers to give out housing loans to buyers.

The ministry is looking at the terms and conditions applied on the loans given to house buyers, he said.

He added that it was already a practice long ago before he was made housing minister in June.

"Right now, a total 42 developers were given licenses under the Moneylenders Act 1951," he said.

Noh came under fire for advocating the idea of allowing the housing developers to issue loans to house buyers.