SHAH ALAM: Sixteen non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday submitted a memorandum to Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to seek the state government’s consent for the proposed Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (Langat 2) project.
SEEKING CONSENT: Marimuthu (right) hands over a memo to Wong at the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office. — Bernama photo
Among the NGOs were Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca), Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), Selangor Water Watch and the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM).
The memorandum was handed over to state executive councillor in charge of environment, tourism and consumer affairs Elizabeth Wong, at the menteri besar’s office in the State Secretariat building here.
A spokesman, Datuk N Marimuthu, who is Fomca president, said the memorandum, among others, urged the state government to cooperate with the Federal Government in the water project.
Any delay would only cause the people in Klang Valley to face a serious water crisis in the future, he noted.
“We want the state government to gazette permanent water catchment areas, in a move to ensure the quality of water supply and protect the environment,” he said, adding that the state government should also address water problems from the Water Demand Management side.
The initial phase of the RM8.65 billion water project was approved by the Selangor Government when it was led by Barisan Nasional, but the following phases were put on hold when the Opposition took over the state after the 2008 general election.
Meanwhile, Wong said the state government welcomed the water project in principle but was only concerned with its construction works as it could affect water supply and environment.
“The proposed project could cut through the water catchment area located at the southern side of the state which can be detrimental to the water supply,” she said.
Wong said the state government had undertaken various water-saving measures such as rain water harvesting, gazetting all water catchment areas and retention ponds in the state.
She said the state government would come up with a policy to make it mandatory for all new housing developments to harvest rain water, a move which could help consumers save water by between 25 and 30 per cent,” she added. — Bernama