Water being used for political expediency

Water, the most essential of our daily needs, could be used as a bargaining tool, like between Malaysia and Singapore; as well as punishment for voting political opponents into power in Kelantan; and a means to reward politicians and their cronies, like in Selangor, and likely to be seen in Perak. The following are recent statements by BN's DPM and MB of Perak respectively as reported in The Star:

DPM: Only BN govt can end water woes in Kelantan

"MACHANG: The acute water problems faced by the people in Kelantan will become a thing of the past if they give Barisan Nasional the mandate to rule the state, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the current state government was incapable of solving the water woes despite ruling the state for more than 22 years.

The state, said Muhyiddin, would need billions of ringgit to repair water plants to enhance the water quality or to replace old water pipes to ensure water supplied to the people was safe for consumption.

“The Federal Government can guarantee that this problem will be solved and all the people need to do is to give the mandate to Barisan in the coming general election,” Muhyiddin said..."

Source:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/24/nation/9967226&sec=nation

Opposition questions water deal

"Earlier when tabling the state’s Budget 2012, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (BN-Pangkor) had announced that the migration of LAP’s assets to PAAB would enable the state to cut down its owings to the Federal Government from RM970.59mil to RM78.66mil.

Brushing off the Opposition’s claims as baseless, Dr Zambry told reporters at a separate press conference that the Penang government had also signed a similar deal.

”The Penang government had signed such a deal and announced that they are debt-free but when we do the same thing, they feel threatened and start questioning us.

”They should question their own DAP colleagues in Penang,” he said, adding that the deal was still in process and that the state was discussing for a good deal."

Source:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/22/metroperak/9950310&sec=metroperak

I would question Muhyiddin: Why did BN choose to refuse Kelantan's oil royalties during the years under PAS rule?... before accusing Nik Aziz for any shortcomings.

I would question Zambry's statement: Why refer to Penang and not Selangor? At least in Penang, the state administration has proven their credibility in working for the state instead of cronies. Why did the previous BN state government of Selangor signed lop-sided water deals at the expense of the state? With such a mess created, and the constant warning by Peter Chin that Selangor would face water shortage if it did not go along with the agreements, the public should be wary of BN's ulterior motives in Perak as well. We can expect the creation of another crony water baron like Rozali Ismail in Perak soon, with interest-free loans to maintain his affluent lifestyle.

A look at how Rozali became a water baron for being at the right place and time...
http://www.malaysiawaves.com/2011/11/syabas-syarikat-untung-atas-angin.html
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