KOTA BARU: The state government will not interfere with the recent investigation carried out by Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) involving its state-owned water company Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB).
To show that it took the matter seriously, Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin said he has given AKSB 'some time' to improve its working culture.
"The state government is consistent on this issue.
"For us, those guilty must face the music and since l took over this position, l have directed AKSB to improve its working culture and have given them some time to make the change.
"I acknowledge that the state government was given some amount under the migration agreement for water programmes in the state but we (the state government) only listed the operation plan while the decision was made by National Water Services Commission (SPAN).
"SPAN will go through the plan and approve it and later hand it over to Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) for the appointment of consultants and awarding of contractors," he said.
Dr Izani was replying to a question by Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim (BN-Galas) at the state assembly sitting here today.
Dr Izani said this showed that both state government and AKSB have no authority on the management of water mitigation programmes.
Kelantan was among the 10 states that received the Federal government's grants of a total RM17.68 billion as part of the restructuring of the water industry.
Kelantan received RM1.67 billion from the grants for the purpose of developing water resources projects, such as dams, riverside water catchment, and barrages.
Last month, Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said the state government has no plans to immediately restructure AKSB despite the scandal involving its failed tube well project which was exposed by MACC.
He said the state government would only consider looking into any AKSB shortcoming after MACC has completed its investigation.
Last month, four individuals were arrested by MACC over a probe into a failed tube wells project in the state.