Protemp Group of Companies

Date:          18 January 2010
Publication: The Star, Metro South & East

JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has not received any payment from the concessionaires for raw water since the supply of clean water was privatised.

According to the 2 008 Auditor- General’s report, no payment had been mad e for raw water sourced from local rivers and streams as negoti ations w as still ongoing.

The report said the failure of Johor’s water regulatory body, Bakaj, to impose charges on the three major concessionaires had caused the state to lose revenue which could be used for conservation, monitoring and enforcement around water catchment areas in the state.

SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd (SAJH), Southern Water Corporation Sdn Bhd and Equiventures Sdn Bhd were given the concessions to operate the 48 treatment plants in Johor and supply clean water to consumers. SAJH received a 30-year concession begi nning 2000.

The report also stated that Johor charged a mere three sen for 1,000 gallons of raw water to Singapore while the Malacca government was paying 30 sen for the same amount of raw water.

In addition, the report highlighted the urgent need for Johor to gazette its water catchment areas to prevent encroachment and ensure proper protection for the areas.