Azmin insists on disclosure of Selangor water deal, questions ‘secret’ label
(Malay Mail Online) – Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali stood firm today in his demand for full disclosure of the water deal agreement inked between Putrajaya and his predecessor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, saying it was curious why the document has been classified as secret.
The PKR deputy president pointed out that the deal involves public interest and the federal government should not “try hard” to keep it under wraps.
“They need to explain why my request to reveal the agreements details was rejected, as it (agreements) does not concern security matters, but mere business contracts between two parties.
“Why the need to hide?” he told reporters after holding his first meeting with state departments here.
The first term mentri besar added that apart from pushing for public disclosure of the water deal, he also plans to scrutinise Putrajaya’s reasons for classifying the document as secret.
On Saturday, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili reportedly said that his ministry would not disclose the contents of the water deal, following legal advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
“After advice from the AGC, we feel that it is not time to disclose the water deal.
“People already know (the contents) because it has been mentioned in the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Heads of Agreement (HoA) and master agreement,” online news portal The Malaysian Insider quoted him as saying.
Ongkili added that a full disclosure needed an agreement from all stakeholders including state water concessionaires.
