“THE WATER DEAL IS BEING DEFENDED TO DEATH JUST BECAUSE COMPANIES ARE PROFITING HUGELY FROM IT AND WE WILL EXPOSE WHO THEY ARE. New Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has been asked to expose the list of companies and individuals benefiting millions of ringgits from the water deal signed by his predecessor Khalid Ibrahim, before he left his post on Sept 22. PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said in the interest of transparency, Selangorians should know who is benefitting from these huge contracts worth hundreds of millions of ringgit. Anwar said Azmin had been told to enlist the individuals or shareholders behind the companies. “I do not care if people are profiting from the deal but who is paying for it? It is the Selangor rakyat,” he said, when met after the anti-Sedition Act ceramah in Seberang Jaya last night. “They talk about caring for and defending the rakyat but those who earn billions will burden the people, who will answer to this? “Pious platitudes not withstanding, the issue is finally dollars and cents. “It is not that we have a problem with people amassing wealth but they have obtained exorbitant profit or interest out of this deal. “This is going to be very tough for the rakyat,” he said, adding such deals would eventually lead to higher water tariff. Khalid had signed the water agreement with the federal government early this month and had assured that any hike in water tariffs would be “reasonable” but the former deputy prime minister is not convinced of this. The opposition leader said Selangor must learn from the experience in Johor, which imposes the highest water tariff in the country, and other states where the rates are higher than those in Penang. Penang is successful in keeping water rates down because the state water authority is corporatised and not privatised, he said, adding that problems arise when the deals involved are not transparent. “Why are we not prepared to be transparent? Why are we defending these excesses? Why are you defending these huge contracts which did not go through proper tender exercise?” queried the Permatang Pauh MP. Anwar said the question would apply to all parties, whether it is within PKR, Pakatan Rakyat or Umno as it involves the issue of public interest. He also expressed concern over huge approvals of contracts, including the water agreement and Kidex (Kinrara-Damansara Highway) which Khalid signed “hurriedly” in the last few months. He also said questions arise over the sale of land to an Umno proxy, who was the lawyer assisting ex-Chief Justice Zaki Azmi, head of the party’s disciplinary committee and legal advisor. Asked if this might eventually expose cronies related to Pakatan leaders, Anwar said “It does not matter if there was any PKR interest or other component parties leaders interests involved”. “We promised to be transparent, and Khalid’s success initially was about good governance and transparency,” he recalled. “Let us then respect that and observe that religiously,” he added. Anwar said he was confident that Azmin would see this through as the latter had promised good governance and transparency, adding that there must be a shift from the corporate way of governing to concern and care for the people. He was aware of such a list - huge contracts given to those who benefitted millions from it not because it was given to him by Khalid. “I did my own homework and found why some people are bent on defending and refusing to listen due to the huge interests and benefits at stake. “On the outside, the deals seem to be done for the good of the rakyat but inside, there are millions of ringgits which benefitted certain cronies,” he added. “They support Khalid using the excuse of Malay rights, following the right procedures and telling us not to insult others,” he stressed. Although he maintained that there was nothing personal against Khalid, Anwar spent about 30 minutes in his ceramah last night explaining to the crowd of about 200 why PKR had to remove the former Menteri Besar, who was sacked by his party early last month. He insisted that Khalid was a fine MB when he assumed his job in 2008, but since last year, lacked transparency and accountability especially to the Pakatan leadership. During his ceramah, Anwar said certain quarters do not like him for raising the issues of huge contracts, adding “I know when I talk like this I will be in trouble, but I am the opposition leader, it is pointless if I can’t talk”. He said Khalid’s supporters defended his excellent administration, and chided him (Anwar) for not understanding the law or the water agreement. “You may support or hate me for asking these questions on the water deal and Langat 2 water treatment agreement but let me tell you, that those who are involved cannot answer these questions. “The water deal is being defended to death just because some companies are profiting hugely from it and we will expose who they are,” said Anwar.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 05:31:43 +0000
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