Press Release – Prime Minister Cameron’s Visit

31 JULY 2015

I wish to thank British Prime Minister David Cameron for giving me the opportunity to exchange views and share the concerns expressed by the civil society and concerned groups in Malaysia. I appreciate his willingness to spare time with me which indicates his recognition on the role of the opposition in a democracy.

On behalf of what I considered to be the concern shared collectively by the people of Malaysia, I said that at this point in time coinciding with his visit, the overriding and most pressing issue was the question of accountability of leaders in respect of the management of public finances. In view of the various issues surrounding the use of billions of ringgit of the state coffers, there has been a startling lack of transparency, and the people are demanding answers to the allegations of financial improprieties raised.

I told Prime Minister Cameron that apart from issues of corruption at high places, there was also the linkage with questions of money laundering, a problem which the United Kingdom as well as other EU countries are also battling. I said that whatever may be the underlying purpose of such activities, the net effect would be damaging to the country’s socio-economic well-being. And where there is the appearance of collusion at high places, it would spell disaster for the nation, politically, in the long run.

I also apprised Prime Minister Cameron of the situation of Opposition Leader Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is languishing in prison on account of the politically motivated sodomy prosecution against him.

Miscarriage of justice to Anwar must be rectified and he must be released to continue leading the opposition. I also raised Anwar Ibrahim’s health problem and his treatment in prison as a political prisoner.

Prime Minister Cameron told me he would bring up these matters with Prime Minister Najib when he meets him later. He also said he would open a channel of communication with civil society groups with regard to current and important matters.

Finally, as Chief Minister of Selangor, I welcome the initiative by Prime Minister Cameron to enhance trade and investment ties with Malaysia and look forward to further investments from the United Kingdom in Selangor.

MOHAMED AZMIN ALI

31st July 2015

Mohamed Azmin Ali is the Chief Minister of Selangor and the Deputy President of People’s Justice Party. His blog can be accessed at azminali.com

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Azmin condemns suspension of The Edge

I condemn in the strongest terms the decision by the Home Ministry today to suspend the publishing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months.

Such a move is not just an attack on press freedom but a violation of the people’s right to information concerning matters of such grave concern as the 1MDB scandal which involves fundamental financial improprieties involving billions of ringgit.

To my mind, exposing a national scandal involving grand theft of the people’s money is not only permissible but obligatory for those who have the means to do so such as the media. This is all the more pressing and urgent considering the circumstances which we are in.

In fact, the Edge would be failing in its duty if it did not report this mother of all scandals.

We find it ridiculous for the Home Ministry to say that such media reporting is prejudicial to public and national interest. The only people who will be prejudiced by the exposes are the parties whose hands are tainted by their complicity in this conspiracy to plunder the nation’s wealth. Innocent parties must surely welcome such exposes.

All right thinking Malaysians must therefore join in condemning this arbitrary use of power by the Government and demand that it revokes such an irresponsible and reckless decision.

Mohamed Azmin Ali

Deputy President

People’s Justice Party

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Supplemental Agreement For Restructuring And Consolidation Of Selangor Water Services Industry

MEDIA STATEMENT

JULY 10, 2015

SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR RESTRUCTURING AND CONSOLIDATION OF SELANGOR WATER SERVICES INDUSTRY

PUTRAJAYA: The Supplemental Agreement for restructuring and consolidation of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya water services industry was signed at the Deputy Prime Minister’s office today, 10 July 2015.

The signing of the Supplemental Agreement to the Master Agreement dated 12 September 2014 follows the conclusion of the State Government of Selangor negotiations with the Government of Malaysia.

Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali hailed the signing as a landmark event as the Agreement will have a major and direct socio-economic impact on the people of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur numbering almost 8 million.

He said that this was the culmination of the tireless efforts to return the rights to water supply to the people and the water supply services restructuring can now proceed as planned.

“This signing clearly shows that the State Government can work well with the Federal Government when both parties are prepared to set aside extraneous concerns for the common good and welfare of the people. The people’s interest must come first over everything else,” he added.

In particular, he commended Tan Sri Dato’ Muhyiddin Yassin – Deputy Prime Minister for showing leadership and conviction in ensuring that the water deal be resolved as soon as possible.

“I look forward to further and more productive engagement and collaboration between Shah Alam and Putra Jaya for the overall and long term good of the people,” he said.

The Menteri Besar thanked all the relevant parties for finally resolving the long drawn dispute that had arisen from the Master Agreement. He said that in spite of the various hiccups and protracted and tough negotiations, there was an underlying commitment to see the deal through.

He also applauded the spirit of co-operation and understanding of Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili – Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Ministry of Finance and all relevant agencies in particular negotiators from the State.

“Despite the challenges and criticisms, all parties have demonstrated in the discussions and negotiations a serious commitment to work towards an amicable and sustainable resolution for the benefit of the rakyat,” he added.

“Once the take-over and consolidation of the private water concession companies under State-owned entity Air Selangor is completed, all efforts will be focused on further improving the water treatment and distribution systems as well the overall water supply services”, he added.

“The journey begins now to further improve the overall water services to reduce the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and more critically to ensure sufficient water supply to consumers” he said.

The State Government via its wholly owned water company, Air Selangor, is implementing the restructuring and consolidation of the water services industry to ensure the provision of efficient, value for money and holistic water services from treatment to distribution of water supply to consumers.

The Federal Government and State Government together with Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) had previously signed the Master Agreement as part of the efforts to restructure and consolidate the water supply services in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The water industry in Selangor will see the operations takeover and maintenance of water treatment facilities as well to increase the capacity of the facilities in using the latest technology.

Among other things, the Supplemental Agreement allows the water restructuring exercise to proceed without Selangor giving up its land whilst still complying with the requirements of the Water Services Industry Act, 2006. The Supplemental Agreement also extends the period for completing the Master Agreement by 60 days commencing from the date of the Supplemental Agreement.

In the interest of expediting the water restructuring exercise without further delay, the dispute on the ownership of the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Nanas Water Treatment Plants will now be addressed separately between the Federal and State Government. The State has agreed to provide alternative water assets to PAAB in consideration for up to RM2 billion in funds to finance Air Selangor’s acquisition of the private water concession companies in Selangor.

The extension of the completion date of the Master Agreement will also facilitate the completion of the Sales and Purchase Agreement signed between Air Selangor and Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad for the purchase the latter’s equity stakes in Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) and Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd.

ISSUED BY

THE OFFICE OF THE MENTERI BESAR OF SELANGOR

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