Pakatan supporters rally against Syabas

 

Some 100 people today held a noon demonstration at Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) headquarters in Shah Alam in protest against planned water rationing exercise.

Demonstrators are also demanding that Syabas allows the Selangor government to intervene in the company’s management and control water distribution.

The group marched about 100 metres while chanting “Tolak-tolak, Syabas-Umno (Oppose Syabas and Umno)” and “Reformasi”.

They were also carrying banners with anti-Syabas slogans such as “Return the water to the people”, “Stop water rationing” and “Sack (Syabas CEO) Rozali Ismail”.

They were led by several Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including Shah Alam parliamentarian Khalid Samad from PAS and Sri Muda assemblyperson Shuhaimi Shafiei from PKR.

The demonstration was organised by Selangor PKR Youth in collaboration with several NGOs. It was peaceful throughout and was observed by about 20 police personnel.

A protest note to Rozali, which was received by a Syabas representative, had also accused him of attempting to sabotage the state government.

Sabotage

The note stated that a lot of developments in Selangor could not be approved because Syabas could not provide enough water.

“This act of sabotage had caused projects that could not be developed because of the failure to obtain a certificate of fitness for occupation (CFO),” read the protest note.

It also stated that Syabas was trying to create a negative impression of the state government because it announced an alleged water crisis, arguing that such announcements were the prerogative of the state.

“This irresponsible act by Syabas can cause security issues in Selangor,” read the note.

Protest leader PKR Youth chief Azmizam Zaman Huri told the press later that Syabas was “playing politics” by refusing Selangor’s demands.

"Do not use the water issue to create fear and anger among the Selangor citizens, let the water works be handled by the people's own chosen state government," he said.

Langat 2 only benefits a few

Azmizam said Syabas has thus far failed in reducing non-revenue water rate (NWR) by 20 percent and have proven its incapability to supply enough treated water.

On the federal government’s insistence constructing the Langat 2 water treatment plant, Azmizam warned that the public would be forced to foot the bill for the RM3.6 billion project.

"Water is a basic human need that shouldn't be traded with a price that oppresses the people," he said.

He added that Selangor had adequate raw water supply and there was no need to draw water from Pahang to be processed at the Langat 2 plant.

"What we really need is an excellent water works service, not the Langat 2 project which only benefits a group of elitists," he said.

The group also demanded a change in the Syabas administration in the month of Ramadhan, or face another protest at the end of August after the Aidifitri celebration.