DPM: Anwar has no say on water MOU
Anwar will not have the authority to change the MOU even if he becomes the menteri besar.
K Pragalath, FMT
Anwar Ibrahim will not be able to change the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the federal government and the Selangor state government even if he wins the Kajang by-election and becomes Selangor Menteri Besar.
“Even though it is called MOU, it is an agreement. The obligations of both governments are absolute. It cannot be changed or amended. It is irrevocable,” said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin when asked whether the MOU can be changed in the future.
Muhyiddin said this after a walkabout session near Sungai Chua market with BN’s candidate Chew Mei Fun.
Two days ago, the federal government and Selangor state government signed the water agreement.
Under the MOU, the state government will issue a development order for the construction of the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (Langat 2) and its distribution system (LRAL2) (Package 2A), and ensure that all approvals and authorisation related to the project are approved within 30 days.
In return, the Selangor state government would be allowed to acquire water assets from concessionaires Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash), and Konsortium ABASS Sdn Bhd (ABBAS).
In addition, the federal government would also inject funds worth RM2 billion to Selangor to facilitate the acquisition.
The MOU spells an end to the water woes for people in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.
However Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has come under fire from his party bosses for signing the MOU without consulting his party PKR.
Muhyiddin also added that water will be sourced from Pahang and it will be transferred to Selangor and Klang Valley in the next two and half years.
Anwar in the dark, Khalid savvy
On that note, he also criticised Anwar for being in the dark over the MOU despite being Selangor’s economic advisor.
“What is unusual if that Anwar didn’t know? What is important is Khalid knew about it. He is the menteri besar and he has authority to decide.
“This proves that Anwar doesn’t know what he should know. At first he is economic advisor. It is weird that he is advisor but doesn’t know about the signing,” said Muhyiddin.
“This shows that he never gave any advice. His position is in name only, but he does not do any work at all.
“He has not made any contributions towards resolving the water crisis,” he added.
