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.