Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Don't pay water bills, says Khir - NST

SHAH ALAM: Jun 11, 2008 By Neville Spykerman

People in Selangor have been urged not to pay for the first 20 cubic metres of water, worth RM11.40, when they receive their water bills.

Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said they need not pay because they were assured by the state government that this would be free.

The promise was made by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Religious Affairs, Malay Culture and Infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Hassan Ali at the recent state assembly.

Dr Mohd Khir said as the opposition leader he had a responsibility to ensure that the people in Selangor receive the benefit.

His call to consumers comes in the wake of a decision by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to reject the compensation terms for the free water offered by state subsidiary Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB).

On Monday, Syabas, in a faxed statement, announced that consumers in Selangor would not get the proposed free water and would continue to be charged in full.

Syabas chief executive officer Datuk Ruslan Hassan said they were rejecting the terms offered by KDEB to compensate for the first 20 cubic metres of water supplied to users.

“We have made the decision to reject the terms and we do not agree with the offered conditions of payment.”

The point of contention was the KDEB proposal to pay for the free water only after a restructuring exercise with all companies related to the supply of water, is completed in September.

He said KDEB’s offer would affect Syabas’ cash flow and could jeopardise its operations.

“Our counter proposal is for Syabas to bill KDEB at the end of every month and payment should be made within 14 days.

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