THIS recurring issue of water supply disruptions which has permeated since Pakatan Harapan seized the Selangor state government in 2008 struck back.
The recent unscheduled water cuts imposed by Air Selangor on July 23, 2024 have once again inconvenienced residents across the Klang Valley, exacerbated by the sweltering heat.
These recurring disruptions indicate a systemic issue warranting a permanent or at the very least, a long-lasting solution urgently.
Air Selangor needs to implement durable measures to enhance the reliability and resilience of the water supply infrastructure. These include:
Investing in infrastructure: Allocate resources towards upgrading and maintaining aging pipelines and facilities to prevent leaks and breakdowns.
Enhanced monitoring and maintenance: Implement proactive monitoring systems to detect potential issues early and schedule preventive maintenance regularly. To jolt one’s memory, what happened to the four drones purchased at RM2 mil for surveillance at water sources?
Emergency response plan: Develop and deploy a comprehensive emergency response plan to swiftly address and mitigate the impact of any unforeseen disruptions. Mobilise more water tankers as well.
Collaboration with stakeholders: Work closely with local authorities, community leaders, and stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and response during emergencies.
Residents deserve uninterrupted access to clean water. We urge Air Selangor to prioritise long-term reliability and sustainability.
We call for immediate action to rectify these repeated water supply issues and restore trust among affected communities in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Yesterday’s dry taps affected more than 1,100 areas in the Klang Valley, including 280 in Petaling, 107 in Klang, 60 in Shah Alam, 175 in Gombak, 165 in Kuala Lumpur, and 325 in Hulu Selangor.
KL residents might not vote in Selangor, but through no fault of theirs, have to endure the identical predicament as their Selangor counterparts as the water channels are derived from the same sources by Air Selangor.
Thus, not only are their daily routines affected but businesses and essential services are impacted too. – July 24, 2024
Datuk Ir Lawrence Low is the MCA vice president and the MCA Selangor state liaison committee chairman.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
