BANDAR TUN RAZAK, 20 JAN: Although the water supply in some areas in the Klang Valley is back to normal, the anger of the public, especially those living in apartments, towards Syabas remains unresolved.
Today a group of residents in Bandar Tun Razak held a peaceful demonstration in front of the An-Najihin Mosque to urge for the Selangor Government to be granted complete authority to control water supply operations.
The participation of almost 30 local residents was noticed by motorists who honked as a sign of protest against the Selangor Water Supply Company (Syabas – Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor) which failed to supply water efficiently.
They chanted the slogan ‘Syabas Cheats’ (Syabas Tipu) apart from carrying pickets and banners stating their dissatisfaction with the water supply crisis that lasted for more than two weeks.
Apart from that, several volunteers distributed information pamphlets on the water supply in Selangor to road users when they stopped during red lights.
The programme coordinator who is also the Bandar Tun Razak PKR Branch Secretary, Osman Karim was clearly satisfied with the response given by local residents and road users who also felt the effects of the absence of water supply.
He stressed that those responsible are reminded to not continue playing politics to a point of causing residents to face difficulties in getting water supply.
“I am satisfied that many people came because we were only giving indication that the residents of Bandar Tun Razak are aware of what is happening.
“We cannot be manipulated for a political agenda that causes the people difficulties,” he said when met.
About half a million residents in Ampang, Gombak and Cheras were without water supply for more than two weeks starting from 29 December last year when the pump house in Wangsa Maju failed to function.
Investigations carried out by the Selangor Water Monitoring Committee found that Syabas, the company tasked in handling the operations of the pump house, failed to maintain all five pumps at the facility properly.
The water supply was restored on January 15 after the committee intervened and helped Syabas restore the failed pumps.
“Regarding this case, we have worked very hard for three weeks in supplying raw and drinking water to the affected residents.
“Syabas actions were unfair. If it is true that damages occurred, the it is clear that Syabas failed in managing the water services for the people of the Federal Territory and Selangor,” he added.