BY: NORHAYATI UMOR
SHAH ALAM, JULY 24: The State Government has requested that the concession takeover involving Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH) to be not politicised by the opposition in Selangor.
Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the opposition was advised to not repeat the allegations of Tanjung Karang MP who blamed the State Government for disagreeing with the Federal Government’s suggestion.
Instead, he stated that the State Government would not agree to the Federal Government’s suggestion to increase the water tariff in Klang Valley.
In addition, Mohamed Azmin informed that the suggested ratio of 60:$0 for the SPLASH takeover was also rejected as the real value of the takeover has not been informed to the State Government.
“We still do not know the SPLASH takeover value from an the Federal Government’s independent evaluator, so how can we agree? This is a transparent process, and the true worth has not been stated. Why do you believe Tanjung Karang’s words that we know its true value?
“The allegation is baseless. When the value is stated, the State Government will bring the suggested value to the State Executive Council for consideration,” he said at the State Assembly when answering an additional question from Permatang Assemblyman Dato’ Sulaiman Razak.
At the same time, Mohamed Azmin said the State Government is still waiting for feedback from the Cabinet regarding the total value of the takeover from the independent assessor appointed by the Federal Government.
“In my meeting with the Treasury Secretary on July 18, I brought the matter up and he assured me that it would be discussed with the Finance Minister,” he said.
The Federal Government had earlier decided to extend the decision of the takeover to a period of six months ending this October 5 after appointing an independent assessor.
On March 30, Mohamed Azmin informed that the lateness in settling the takeover of assets and management has asserted financial pressure on Air Selangor in view of operational costs such as Bulk Supply Rate (BSR), Fixed Monthly Payments (FMP) would continue to be charged by SPLASH.
“The total increases every month. Up till December 31, 2016, the total amount for BSR and FMP increased to RM 3.7 billion.
“However, Air Selangor will ensure that the finances are managed well to assure consumers and not burden the rakyat,” he said.
Stop politicising SPLASH issue
