Privatisation: Govt flayed for not consulting civil society

by Adriana Nordin Manan     Published 23 Jun 2005    Source ： Malaysiakini

The government today came under fire for not including the civil society in the consultative process on plans to privatise water supply and healthcare in the country.

Panelists and individuals at the 'Privatising Water and Health Services in Malaysia?' forum in Kuala Lumpur demanded increased inclusiveness in every level of the process.

Without mincing his words, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy secretary-general Xavier Jayakumar, who was one of the panelists, took the government to task for not keeping the deliberation process transparent.

Cynical reaction over move to axe water privatisation

by Claudia Theophilus     Published 22 Jun 2005      Source : Malaysiakini

Representatives of civil society and consumer groups now want the government to take its decision to scrap privatisation of water supply services to a new level, by proving its commitment in ways that convince the public.

Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation director Charles Santiago, who has strongly opposed the privatisation move, also said Energy, Water and Communications Minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik should ensure that state governments are equally committed to the decision.

"What he is saying isn't new. In fact, he's merely repeating a similar statement that he made on April 30. I think this may only be paying lip-service," Santiago said when contacted today.

Water concessionaire taken to task for improprieties

by Roshan Jason     Published 10 Jun 2005       Source : Malaysiakini

Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has already been issued a show-cause letter by the government but a group of concerned citizens, non-governmental organisations and politicians want more action taken against the concessionaire for other 'scandalous' activities.

They also want the authorities to answer daunting questions pertaining to the Syabas scandal and the government's water privatisation plans nationwide.

The company has been accused of flouting open tender requirements - when awarding a RM375 million tender to replace water pipes in the Klang Valley - by manipulating its outcome.

MTUC to gauge workers support on Labour Day

by  Claudia Theophilus     Published 18 Apr 2005    Source ：Malaysiakini

This year's Labour Day event organised by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) will, for the first time, be celebrated outdoors and at night, said its president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud.

The big event, riding on the theme 'Globalisation Eroding Workers' Rights', will take place at Dataran Merdeka, at 9pm on April 30. It will feature a performance by a North Port (Klang) band.

Among the reasons for holding this outdoors is to create public awareness of the plight and rights of workers, and to gauge support for MTUC, the umbrella body for more than 230 private sector trade unions in the major industries.

NGOs unite to stop water privatisation move

by Nurul Nazirin     Published 17 Jan 2005    Source : Malaysiakini

A coalition of seven non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that is lobbying against privatisation of water supply, today submitted a memorandum to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang at the Parliament lobby.

Led by Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, the group timed its action to take advantage of the special three-day Parliamentary sitting from today.

Among other matters, it will debate constitutional amendments to transfer power from state governments to the federal government to take over the supply and management of water to consumers. It is widely known that this will be done through privatisation.

Suhakam, why the silence on water rights?

by  Beh Lih Yi     Published 15 Jan 2005       Source : Malaysiakini

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) was taken to task today over its silence on the impending water privatisation move in the country which is widely opposed by civil society groups.

Human rights lawyer-activist Malik Imtiaz Sarwar questioned Suhakam for keeping mum on the issue stating that access to water is deemed as a basic human rights while the poor may not be able to afford privatised water supply.

"Where is Suhakam?' he asked before delivering his paper at a public forum on 'Should water supply be privatised?' in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

NGOs: Water privatisation will punish the poor

by Nurul Nazirin     Published 11 Jan 2005    Source : Malaysiakini

While the Malaysian parliament will convene a special three-day sitting on Monday to debate transfer of power for supply, treatment, distribution and billing of water supply, an Indonesian court has been preoccupied with similar issues.

In both countries, non-governmental organisations are rallying against the proposal which, they claim, will burden those unable to pay for privatised water supply.

Malaysian economist Charles Santiago ( left ), said he testified against the privatisation of water resources in a case before the Judicial Review Act 7, 2004, at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta last Wednesday.