NGOs support Selangor water takeover bid

Predictably, the federal government is refusing to allow the Selangor government to take over the state’s water operations from Syabas. Time to make our feelings known at the ballot box.
NGOs, including Penang-based groups, had earlier supported the Selangor state government in its bid to take over the operations from Syabas.
On 15 December 2004, Syabas had entered a concession agreement with the federal government and the Selangor for the privatisation of the water supply services in Selangor, KL and Putrajaya for 30 years from 1 January 2005.
Syabas is owned by Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad (70 per cent), Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (15 per cent”) and Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad (15 per cent). The Finance Ministry holds one ‘golden share’.
Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd made a loss before tax of RM75.2m in 2011 but its highest paid director received more than RM8.3m, according to the firm’s 2011 Annual Report.
Rozali Ismail owns a 41 per cent indirect interest in Puncak Niaga.
TheSun reports today.

S’gor can’t take over Syabas: committee
Posted on 23 July 2012 – 01:58pm
Hemananthani Sivanandam
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PUTRAJAYA (July 23, 2012): The Special Cabinet Committee on water issue was advised that Selangor government will not be able to take over Syabas management due to substantive and procedural matters.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this during the committee’s first meeting today.
He also said that the federal government will go ahead with the Langat2 project even if Selangor state government does not agree to it. He added that the Attorney-General has been given directive to look into legal matters.