This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 8, 2016.

KUALA LUMPUR: Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili met with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Azmin Ali for a long discussion on the state’s water asset consolidation. However, the talks did not bear fruit.

“I had a very long discussion with Selangor menteri besar and we believe solutions would be found soon,” said Ongkili at the sidelines of the official opening of AsiaWater 2016 forum on Wednesday.

“There are still much to be done with regards to the ongoing water restructuring. Perhaps, the most difficult one as I mentioned earlier is the Selangor water case, but we are now on the last lap, and [the ministry] remains focused to solve it by 2016,” said Ongkili.

When asked if the federal government will be providing additional financial assistance to the state government to take over Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd’s (Splash) water treatment assets, Ongkili said both parties have not finalised any decision yet.

Splash is the only company that has yet to accept the state’s offer to buy its water assets.