SHAH ALAM (April 1): The Selangor state government has issued seven development orders (DOs) for the development of the RM3.6 billion Langat 2 water treatment plant project in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
Selangor state executive councillor Zaidy Abdul Talib said the state has to date issued seven DOs for the contractors to proceed with the construction of the plant, although some of them have lapsed.
"The state has no problem in granting DOs to the contractors as long as they meet all the criteria set by the state government," he told pressmen at the Selangor legislative assembly today.
Zaidy is in charge of the state's infrastructure, public amenities and agro-based industry portfolio.
He also said the state should have been given more decision-making power in the planning process of Langat 2.
He cited the federal government's earlier decision to use "excessive" high technology in the project.
"We do not see the need of using excessively high technology in Langat 2 as it would increase the building and operational costs of the project eventually," he added.
Zaidy also noted that the federal government has formed a steering committee to oversee the project, whose members include the Selangor menteri besar and other state agencies.
"The question is how far is the federal government willing to listen and agree to the state's advice and views," he said.
According to Zaidy, Langat 2 is adopting a granular activated carbon system (GAC) suitable for treating highly contaminated water (air yang tercemar) or Class 4. This will result in Selangor paying 10 sen to Pahang for every cubic meter of raw water sent to Langat 2.
"Eventually, this will translate into higher water charges, of which users would have to bear the cost," he said.
Meanwhile, Zaidy said work on Langat 2 has fallen behind schedule.
He said Selangor's stance is clear, that is, for the project to be completed on time so that the rakyat can benefit from it.
Despite the delay, the Taman Templer assemblyman hopes that Langat 2 can be completed by April 2017.