KOTA BARU: PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli needs to differentiate between the responsibility of the federal government and the duties of the water operator under the state government, said Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
The Pas deputy president said the federal government through the Water Services Industry Act (WASIA) 2006 (Act 655) and Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) only owns the water assets while the states will continue to manage the water resources.
"In addition, the state governments through the corporatisation of the state water company will continue to provide water services to the people.
"So, the issue of distribution and supply of water to the people in Sungai Bakap is under the responsibility of the state government," said the Kubang Kerian member of parliament in a Facebook post.
Tuan Ibrahim, who was the former environment and water minister, said the water supply issue in Kelantan raised by Rafizi was because the state did not have dams for a long time.
"If he (Rafizi) wants to raise the issue of the water supply in Kelantan, it is because Kelantan has not had a water reservoir or dam for a long time.
"After facing this situation for decades, the Environment and Water Ministry during the administration of the Perikatan Nasional government approved the Riverside Water Reservoir (TAPS) project in Machang worth RM1.3 billion.
"Even after the transition of the federal government at the end of 2022, l was informed that this project will continue," he added.
Tuan Ibrahim said he would like to advise Rafizi who is the economy minister to think about how to help the Prime Minister rather than politicise the water issue.
"He should assist the Prime Minister in solving the economic crisis and the cost of living issued faced by Malaysians.
"He needs to use all the formulas that he has presented to the people before.
"This water issue really does not need to be politicised. What the Kedah Menteri Besar said was more of a proposal to help the Penang state government," he added.
On Saturday, Rafizi during the Ceramah Perpaduan in Nibong Tebal criticised Perikatan Nasional for using the water supply disruption issue in their campaign, pointing out that Tuan Ibrahim who previously served as the minister in charge of water, failed to address the problem during his tenure.