Air Selangor’s unscheduled water cuts strike again! Dry taps for most urban region affecting 320,000 households a common theme

The Selangor Pakatan Harapan State Government must be taken to task for its incompetence. Their manner of dealing with water pollution shows no difference, much less any improvements from Day 1 since more than 10 years ago. Not only has there been any risks taken in its water treatment plans, it also lacks awareness and does not possess any effective crisis management plan. Irony fills Selangor’s reputation as the nation’s most advanced state.

Faced with frequent pollution at its water sources leading to unscheduled water cuts, the Selangor Pakatan State Government should have explored other alternatives since ages ago, including establishing an Off River Storage system near its water treatment plants to filter and supply water whenever its river basins are polluted. Its plants could also explore alternatives to traditional water sources such as pumping groundwater, setting up coastal reservoirs and rainwater collection systems, and others.

The Selangor Pakatan State Government must look beyond having only one management method to tackle its water crisis. It has to come up with alternatives beyond cutting off water supplies whenever a water source is contaminated. Otherwise, residents at are its mercy of having their daily lives disrupted whenever unscheduled water cuts hit. Moreover the situation is Selangor has grown serious, with the Covid-19 pandemic raging and this state reporting the highest number of daily cases for weeks.

For more than 10 years, the Selangor State Government has prided itself as the most advanced state. However, its water control model does not show any signs of improvement in the last decade. The same crisis management method has been recycled repeatedly, much to the detriment of Klang Valley residents. Hence, paradox strikes its reputation as the “most advanced state.”

Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant suffered a shutdown following an odour pollution incident. As a result, more than 323,000 households in 463 areas in five Air Selangor regions, were expected to experience unscheduled water supply disruptions. Water supply has been cut since noon. The official website of Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) www.airselangor.com was also paralysed. After the statement was issued, no progress has been reported at all. There has been no mention of when water supply may be restored, leaving users at a loss. Come on Air Selangor! Consumers expect improved services!

Lau Chin Kok
MCA New Media Bureau Chairman
MCA Central Committee Member

-MCA Online-