Shuhaimi Shafiei (above), political secretary to Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, has dismissed a BN debate challenge against his boss on the state's water issue as a diversionary tactic.

Shuhaimi said this in reference to Selangor BN chief Noh Omar's challenge to Azmin to debate the issue.

"Noh's challenge to debate with the Selangor menteri besar is clearly an attempt cover up more serious national issues affecting the country.

"It is an obvious and old tactic by Umno and BN to shift attention," he said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Selangor saw water supply disruptions in key urban areas due to prolonged repairs at Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) water treatment plant.

The federal government blamed the matter on the Selangor government for not yet taking over Splash as part of its water restructuring plan.

However, the Selangor government said it could not make an appropriate offer if the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry did not facilitate and share its independent valuation report on Splash.

"The Selangor water issue happened due to the past mistake of the then BN-led Selangor government.

"It arose due to the greed of Umno/BN leaders who privatised the people's water resources to cronies.

"If Noh is honest about helping Selangorians, he should convince Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry to share the independent valuation report in relation to the Selangor government's planned takeover of Splash," said Suhaimi.

He also criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for suggesting that the water issue was worse than the 1MDB scandal.