LETTERS: Scheduled and unscheduled water disruptions have always been synonymous with Selangor for as long as I can remember, ever since I settled down here in Ampang, Selangor, about 40 years ago.
Burst pipes, maintenance and repair works, river pollution and chemical discharges into rivers have been some of the reasons behind water disruptions in the state. And water cuts could last for days, sometimes up to a week or so.
Take the Sept 4, 2020, water disruption for instance, which affected some 1.2 million consumers in 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat.
The social media was abuzz with rants, tantrums and anger from those affected. There were even those who were considering suing the authorities responsible for the inconvenience, including Air Selangor, the National Water Commission and the government "for failing to perform their duties to ensure and protect the water resource which is the most basic element for life."
The latest water disruption, being yesterday - Oct 17 - where several Selangor districts experienced cuts due to pipe leakage, was yet another "dark" episode, that only proved the incompetency, unprofessionalism and lack of enforcement on the part of the Selangor water authorities.
How many more times of water disruptions and how long more do we have to endure all this? It's not an exaggeration to state here that water cuts in Selangor are a "nightmare" for most residents who wake up in the morning only to find their taps dry every now and then.
How I wish political party leaders think about their voters and rakyat first before anything else! Recently, even the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong urged lawmakers to reflect on their actions so that the country would not be dragged into political uncertainty as Malaysia continues to face various problems and a difficult future due to the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The King also reiterated his advice during the opening ceremony of the third term of the 14th Parliament last May to showcase maturity in politics and understand the grievances of the people, and not neglect the people's well-being. I wish all politicians, regardless of their political affiliations and beliefs, take a serious note of the King's advice and reminder.
But going by the political fray and turns of events the past few days, our politicians do not seem to mind or accept the King's advice, judging from all sorts of statements they have been issuing to the media. They are greedy for power.
They know and should do the right thing in the present circumstances which is to help the government flatten the curve of transmission.
ZYMA MYNA SHARIFF
Ampang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times