PETALING JAYA: The plan to cut water to Klang Valley for repairs from tomorrow through the Christmas season is insensitive and must be put off, says DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok.
She was unimpressed with the case made by the National Water Services Commission (Span) that the cuts were chosen for this period because water use is lower now than the rest of the year. She said it did not justify the “bad timing” for scheduled repairs.
This justification, Kok said, showed how ignorant the decision makers were of the importance of water supply during the pre-Christmas season.
“How could a decision be made with so much weightage given to the lowest consumption factor, without any regard for the inconvenience caused during festive season?
“I call on Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Ongkili to step in and instruct that the TNB maintenance work be postponed to a suitable date,” said Kok in a statement.
The works start tomorrow and go on to Christmas Eve. The water cuts affect 814 areas in Klang Valley. News of the massive water disruptions during scheduled TNB maintenance works caused a massive uproar from netizens. A petition campaign was launched to get TNB to reschedule their work.
Kok said a thoughtful decision maker would not propose any planned maintenance which would cause massive water disruptions during any pre-festive or festive season, whether Christmas, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali or Chinese New Year.
“It is most inconsiderate, unprofessional and unacceptable for TNB to have scheduled the maintenance work that will cause such widespread water disruption during pre-Christmas season.
“What is even more unacceptable is that despite the huge backlash, TNB has not shown any sign that it is prepared to postpone the planned maintenance work,” Kok said.