Malaysia: Selangor would not resort to water rationing again - Menteri Besar

NURADILLA NOORAZAM New Straits Times 11 Jun 14;

SHAH ALAM: Even though the rising temperature expected from El Nino weather phenomenon would affect the water levels at dams across Selangor, the state government is adamant that it would not resort to water rationing again.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state has set in place a contingency plan to ensure that the residents will continue to receive normal treated water supply despite the dry spell.

"We have put in place 20 pumps to pump overflowing water from the river into the nine pools located in Bestari Jaya and Bukit Tinggi as well as pumping water from the pools into the river when the water level at the state's rivers are low.

"Based on our calculation, this initiative would be able to supply 800 million litres of water per day to the state," he said after chairing Selangor executive councillor meeting at the state secretariat building, this afternoon.

The use of water pumps is said to pacify the effect of the dry weather on the state's two most important dams in Sungai Selangor and Bukit Tinggi.

He added that the conclusion was made based on the meeting between state government, the state economic planning unit and the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas)

It was reported previously that the pumps were bought from China using the RM1 million allocation by the state government.

As part of a safety procedure, Khalid said that the state, through LUAS, has been conducting weekly sampling on water quality of the pools to ensure that it comply with the standards issued by the Health Ministry.

"Our latest lab result was in May 20th and the result showed that the water quality complied with the standards regulated by the Health Ministry.

"We will continue to take sampling as the use of water from the pools will be inevitable as the dry weather continues," he said, adding that the effect of El Nino will be felt for the next four months.

Khalid said that the state has also considered meeting with Thailand's Royal Rainmaking Bureau to seek their expertise in cloud seeding as the government plans to continue the effort despite producing minimal impact for the dam's water level so far.

"We will continue with our cloud seeding activities and even intend to increase the efficiency and rotation of cloud seeding activities. Even though the impact of such activity on the water level is minimal, we are convinced that the rainfall near water catchment areas and river will catch up soon," he said.

On the decision by Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad (PNHB)'s to accept the takeover offer by the state government, Khalid said that the concessionaire had finally agree knowing that it is lacking in options.

PNHB on Tuesday announced its decision to accept the state government's offer of RM9.65 billion and joined the ranks of Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd (Abbas) which had accepted it in March.

This only leaves Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash) who has yet to announce its decision on the takeover before the government is forced to invoke Section 114 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006, which allows for the forced takeover of assests of the concessionaires for RM7.6 billion.

"I am meeting the Energy, Green Technology and Water minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss on Splash as well as to fine tune the final stage of the takeover as the minister has the final say on this matter," he said.

Khalid: No water rationing exercise
The Star 12 Jun 14;

SHAH ALAM: Residents in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya need not fear of any water rationing exercise with another impen­ding dry spell.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim assured the Selangor government would not order a second phase of water rationing exercise so soon.

This was because the state government had taken necessary steps to ensure that raw water supply at all main dams would be sufficient.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly exco meeting here yesterday, Khalid said 20 water pumps had been placed in nine ponds to channel water into the Sungai Se­lan­gor Dam.

“This will reduce the amount of raw water taken from Sungai Selangor and ensure the water treatment plants there get normal supply,” Khalid said.

He added that former mi­­ning ponds could provide up to 800 million litres of water daily.

He also assured the public that water channelled from ponds would be tested regularly for safety purposes.

The Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) is also inspecting pumps to ensure they are in good working condition.

“We are also working towards increasing our water supply (by tapping into) underground water as an additional effort,” he added.

He said 37 cloud seeding exercises had also been conducted with the help of Thailand’s Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation.

On Selangor’s water restructuring exercise, Khalid said Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB) had agreed in principle to it subject to approval at its coming AGM.

He said it would take about one month be­­fore the takeover of PNSB was completed.

No factories moved or closed due to recent water crisis
The Star 12 Jun 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: There are no reports of factories being shut down or moving to another location due to the recent water crisis, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Mustapa said at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the Government had taken various initiatives to reduce the impact of the water crisis.

Mustapa said despite the unfavourable weather, the Malaysian Investment Development Autho­rity had approved 37 factory projects across Johor with an estimated investment of RM1.3bil.

“Due to the early notice on the water crisis, factories and companies have taken the necessary precautionary measures to store additional water for their operations,” he said.