MB lashes out at DAP duo for condemning Selangor govt

(The Star) – Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has lashed out at two DAP leaders for condemning the state government over water disruptions in several districts and other issues.

Khalid said he was dumbfounded that state DAP chief and PJ Utara MP Tony Pua and former state executive councillor Ronnie Liu (pic), were ignorant of the situation on the water restructuring exercise.

“I am shocked that Liu, despite being an exco member for one term, does not know of the exercise and the work the state has been doing to ensure continuous supply of water to the people.

“Anyway, I am sure Upen (State Economic Planning Unit) and Luas (Selangor Water Management Authority) will be glad to teach Tony Pua and Ronnie Liu what we have done and why Syabas is to be blamed,” he said.

When asked to comment on Pua’s statement questioning the state government’s “guarantee” on assuring continuous supply of water for the next five months, Khalid said it was still a promise.

However, he admitted that it could be a hard one to keep with Syabas not cooperating with other water players.

“Our calculation shows that there is enough water in our dams and rivers but the treatment plants belong to Syabas and if they refuse to work, it is very hard to get the job done,” he said.

“Therefore, it is unfair to simply condemn the state government baselessly.”

Pua had said earlier that the water disruptions exposed a lack of seriousness in tackling the issue.

“When water shortages occur within days after the guarantee is issued, does that not make the Pakatan Rakyat government, and its elected representatives look like complete fools?” he asked.

Liu, who is Selangor DAP publicity secretary told Khalid to step down gracefully because he was “disgracefully ousted” in a vote of no confidence in his own party.

Liu said there was a long list of reasons to justify calls asking Khalid to step down and topping it was “unprofessional handling” of the issue involving the Bible seizure by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

He also chided Khalid for making the unilateral decision to sign a memorandum of understanding on the water issue without consulting the executive councillors and the three coalition party leaders.