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.
"The only way to take him seriously on this is when all state governments echo him in saying that they won't privatise water supply services."
Santiago said several state governments have already privatised such services or have initiated plans to do so.
"Now, the minister has to truly convince Malaysians that the federal government is really serious about dropping the idea, by getting all state governments to issue a commitment on the same grounds."
He also expressed reservations over Lim's announcement which was delivered at a press conference yesterday.
"The minister's reforms are not what the civil society wants. We want the government to deal with corruption, and to maintain a strict separation between bureaucratic and political powers.
"The government should also eliminate ring-fencing which is a situation where revenue from water is used for political activities or purposes."
Santiago, who is pushing for a public-public partnership, doubted the ability of the newly-created industry regulator, the National Water Services Commission (Span), to handle such issues.
"As long as Span remains under state or political control, it cannot do anything. Just look at Selangor as an example of political control over Puas (the state-controlled water company)."
'Brief the people'
Echoing the concerns, Fomca president Marimuthu Nadason said Lim must be clear about what he is saying.
"Put in writing, distribute it to people and brief them on what is going on, including future plans for the water services," he said.
"Till today, the government has just been talking. Previous Fomca leaders have been warning about the water issue since the mid-1970s, but no one was bothered. We've been consistently asking the government to only upgrade the water supply infrastructure because Malaysia gets enough rainfall."
Marimuthu said Fomca has to date distributed 10,000 copies of a two-part booklet on why the public should oppose water privatisation.
"We've explained the reasons for saying no and outlined the points clearly. The booklet has been circulated to all members of parliament and state legislative assemblies since early this year. In short, all policy-makers should have read it by now."
While welcoming Lim's move to obain input from non-governmental organisations, he said a consistent policy is needed on the matter.
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.
"The only way to take him seriously on this is when all state governments echo him in saying that they won't privatise water supply services."
Santiago said several state governments have already privatised such services or have initiated plans to do so.
"Now, the minister has to truly convince Malaysians that the federal government is really serious about dropping the idea, by getting all state governments to issue a commitment on the same grounds."
He also expressed reservations over Lim's announcement which was delivered at a press conference yesterday.
"The minister's reforms are not what the civil society wants. We want the government to deal with corruption, and to maintain a strict separation between bureaucratic and political powers.
"The government should also eliminate ring-fencing which is a situation where revenue from water is used for political activities or purposes."
Santiago, who is pushing for a public-public partnership, doubted the ability of the newly-created industry regulator, the National Water Services Commission (Span), to handle such issues.
"As long as Span remains under state or political control, it cannot do anything. Just look at Selangor as an example of political control over Puas (the state-controlled water company)."
'Brief the people'
Echoing the concerns, Fomca president Marimuthu Nadason said Lim must be clear about what he is saying.
"Put in writing, distribute it to people and brief them on what is going on, including future plans for the water services," he said.
"Till today, the government has just been talking. Previous Fomca leaders have been warning about the water issue since the mid-1970s, but no one was bothered. We've been consistently asking the government to only upgrade the water supply infrastructure because Malaysia gets enough rainfall."
Marimuthu said Fomca has to date distributed 10,000 copies of a two-part booklet on why the public should oppose water privatisation.
"We've explained the reasons for saying no and outlined the points clearly. The booklet has been circulated to all members of parliament and state legislative assemblies since early this year. In short, all policy-makers should have read it by now."
While welcoming Lim's move to obain input from non-governmental organisations, he said a consistent policy is needed on the matter.
"Most importantly, he must now write down exactly what he wants to do
and brief the people through civil society groups. We want him to
explain to us on the future plans with regards the water services
industry."
Santiago and Marimuthu will also speak at a discussion on 'Privatising Water and Health Services in Malaysia' under the Liberal Forum Malaysia series in Kuala Lumpur.
According to project director Rainer Heufers, the forum is to discuss current controversial subjects, namely the privatisation of water and health services which has sparked off intense public debate.
The other panellists are the health ministry's parliamentary secretary Lee Kah Choon and Energy, Water and Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (II) Teo Yen Hua.
Santiago and Marimuthu will also speak at a discussion on 'Privatising Water and Health Services in Malaysia' under the Liberal Forum Malaysia series in Kuala Lumpur.
According to project director Rainer Heufers, the forum is to discuss current controversial subjects, namely the privatisation of water and health services which has sparked off intense public debate.
The other panellists are the health ministry's parliamentary secretary Lee Kah Choon and Energy, Water and Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (II) Teo Yen Hua.
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