KUALA LUMPUR, 5 March 2009: The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) merely took the role of facilitators in the water restructuring in Selangor and has not taken sides as alleged by certain parties, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said initial steps in the restructuring involving four concessionaires were taken by the state government, but it could not find a solution despite getting an extension of time.
He said in order to assist the state government in finalising the negotiations, the federal government requested SPAN and PAAB to be facilitators in the buyback of the assets of the concessionaires in Selangor.
“The proposed restructuring exercise must be speeded up to protect the interest of the users in view of the increase in water tariffs on 1 April 2009…if the restructuring is not finalised by 31 March 2009,” Shaziman said.
He said a delay in the exercise and postponement of the water tariff review would have a direct impact on the supply of water not only in Selangor, but also in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
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This article first appeared on 5 March 2009 in The Edge Financial Daily under the title Shaziman: SPAN and PAAB mere facilitators. Used with permission.
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