MOHD FARHAAN SHAH The Star 7 Dec 15;
NUSAJAYA: The state government plans to widen the role of its Johor Special Water (JSW) company as the main body to manage supply of raw water in its effort to better manage the utility.
State Works, Regional and Rural Develoment Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the company’s role is different from SAJ Holdings that is responsible for managing treated water.
He pointed out that the government decided to take the action of strengthening Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) besides amending Water Enactment to enforce rules on protecting catchment areas.
“By increasing the role of JSW, the agency is now responsible for maintaining and developing raw water, especially at Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC).
“This is a proactive initiative decided on by the government to maintain water management here besides organising the Johor Water Forum," he said.
Hasni said this in his winding up speech during the state assembly sitting here recently.
He added that through the state Budget 2016, Johor government would take a serious approach that involves untreated water supply.
“If there is an encroachment either at dams or at catchment areas, then the District Land Office together with Bakaj and relevant departments will conduct enforcements.
“Bakaj will also conduct studies on water supply by focusing on controlling of supplies and implementation of buffer zones in its main source,” he said.
