Copies of a memorandum representing 'the people's version' of two water bills was handed to parliamentarians in the Parliament lobby today.

A delegation from the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca), led by chief executive officer T Indrani, handed over 220 copies to Backbenchers Club head Shahrir Abdul Samad, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang and PAS Tumpat MP Kamaruddin Jaffar.

The 109-page memorandum had been submitted to the energy, water and communications ministry on Feb 27 as the response of civil society groups to proposed amendments to the Water Services Industry Bill 2005 and the National Water Services Commission Bill 2005.

'Well consulted' bills

Speaking to reporters later, Indrani said she hoped the memorandum would be useful to MPs during their debate. The two bills are scheduled for second reading during the current sitting.

Reiterating the organisation's stance, she said: "Water cannot be used as a tool for privatisation, it shouldn't be turned into a business."

Shahrir, who was present, agreed, saying "(the bills) can't be used as an opportunity to privatise water processing".

However, since sufficient time has been given to discuss the bills between the ministry and the public, he said the bill would be a "well consulted" one that incorporates public views.