HULU LANGAT: The government has given one-month ultimatum (until April 30) for the Selangor state government to extend the cut-off date of the Master Agreement (MA) on the water restructuring exercise.
Energy, Green Technology and Water minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said failing this, the government would take the necessary action required under the Water Services Industry Act and other relevant laws to ensure the national interest and welfare of the people are protected.
“I have even personally written to the Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali on March 12, asking him to rethink his decision not to extend the cut-off date of the MA as well as on outstanding matters that need to be resolved.
“However, to date I have not received a formal reply from him (Azmin),” he said during an inspection of Package 2A, Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (phase 1) here today.
He said the ministry also maintains that the government should respect and adhere to the MA.
“Failing this, we (federal government) will take the view that Selangor state government is not interested to take up the offer on the restructuring exercise and complete takeover of the concessionaires in Selangor as contained in the MA.
“To ensure the security of water supply and completion of all planned projects including mitigation measures, we are hopeful that the spirit of cooperation as upheld by the Selangor state government in the past will continue to prevail,” he said.
He said the cut-off date for the MA has been extended twice after it lapsed on March 9 after the Selangor state government did not agree to extend it further to complete the agreement’s implementation.
Source: http://www.nst.com.my/node/79125
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