MCA: So much rain, so little water for Selangorians under Harapan
Selangor MCA state liaison committee chair Ng Chok Sin has expressed concern that the new year is not going to be very different from the old, saying that Selangorians are still experiencing constant water cuts even when it's raining heavily.
On Sunday, Air Selangor reported that eight areas have been affected following the shutdown of the Sungai Selisek water treatment plant...
Selangor MCA state liaison committee chair Ng Chok Sin has expressed concern that the new year is not going to be very different from the old, saying that Selangorians are still experiencing constant water cuts even when it's raining heavily.
On Sunday, Air Selangor reported that eight areas have been affected following the shutdown of the Sungai Selisek water treatment plant.
"This forced shutdown was executed reportedly due to Sungai Selisek waters rising to a critical level at its intakes due to continuous rain.
"It is bad enough that unscheduled water interruptions were a monthly occurrence just three months ago, but now it has become a weekly affair, much to the ire and expense of affected residents and the private sector," Ng (above) said in a statement.
"It had been raining cats and dogs in the last few days, and in particular overnight from Jan 2.
"Despite the torrential downpour leading to massive floods, areas in Selangor reportedly faced unscheduled dry taps due to… ironically… floods!" added Ng.
He said the Pakatan Harapan Selangor government must answer for this situation.
"When there was a prolonged dry hot spell resulting in reservoirs suffering from depleted water reserves, the Selangor government would enforce water rationing in the past.
"Now with the monsoon season, water supply has also been disconnected without prior notification.
"Let us not forget when river water sources in Rawang were polluted by illegal factories in September, October and November 2020 or regular burst pipes causing water interruptions," he said.
All these incidents highlight that the water authorities in the state - Air Selangor and the Selangor government - do not have any mechanism to avert, much less, handle a water crisis, Ng added.
He said Klang Valley residents and the commercial sector, in particular, small businesses like kopitiams, hair salons, wellness centres, launderettes and others were the victims of this situation.
The Selangor government has repeatedly alluded to sabotage of water resources and in November 2020, two men, including a director of a company, became the first individuals to be charged in court with committing sabotage on water services in Selangor, an offence against national security.
The two accused were also slapped with five other charges under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Water Service Industry Act 2006.
It was also announced that starting in November four DJI Matrice 300 High technology drones will be used to monitor rivers in Selangor to prevent activities which pollute water resources.
State Environment, Tourism and Green Technology, Orang Asli and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairperson Hee Loy Sian said the state government had allocated RM2 million for the drones which would be managed by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) through the Luas Quick Squad.
"The drones will be used to monitor the Klang River Basin, Selangor River and Sungai Langat... they will also be able to take water samples, including in remote areas more accurately.
"In fact, they (drones) can also detect individuals at night, including giving early warnings if there are suspicious activities; with this technology we expect to prevent river pollution activities in Selangor in the future," Hee said in October.
Ng remained unimpressed and called on the state government to clarify how effective the preventive measures have been.
"How were the funds used when RM2 million was spent to purchase four drones? How about other Selangor budget allocations intended to address water woes, repair or upgrade old pipes and other water issues?"
He said if the Harapan government continued to fail to resolve the state's water issues, the people should punish them for it at the next general election and remove the administration.
