Is this supposed to be good news? Sounds good but not very good?!?

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/resolve-selangor-water-stalemate-immediately-in-line-with-original-deal-say

Selangor's restructuring of its water industry has to be settled immediately, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said today, adding that the state government and Putrajaya should stick to the original deal and not play politics with it.

The Selangor ruler said he hoped the spirit and terms of the water deal, which was signed on September 12 last year, would be realised without further delay.

The monarch also told Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali to be firm in defending the sovereignty of the state.

"Water is a crucial necessity for the people. I urge that this matter will not be politicised by any party, so the restructuring deal can be carried out in the interest of the people and the development of the state," he said in his royal address at the opening of Selangor legislative assembly sitting in Shah Alam today.

Sultan Sharafuddin said he believed face-to-face discussion was the only way to resolve the stalemate fairly.

He said he viewed the latest development as positive and was confident that discussions between the two sides would place the people's interest first.

“We are confident face-to-face approaches and discussions can ensure treated water services that are efficient and people-friendly to Selangor citizens,” he said.

"We also want preparatory measure done to ensure there is enough clean water supply to meet both domestic and industrial demands."

Sultan Sharafuddin reminded the assemblymen during the debate to focus on development issues and future of the state.

Meanwhile, Azmin later said the state government would arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to discuss the state’s water restructuring issue.

"It is understood that he (Najib) will be in Sabah in the next few days. We will set the date as soon as he comes back," said Azmin.

It was reported that Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili will soon meet with Azmin to discuss and resolve issues pertaining to the Selangor water restructuring deal.

Preliminary talks were held between Selangor secretary Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee. On March 9, Azmin said the Selangor government decided to cancel the water agreement, claiming the federal government had violated several terms of the agreement signed last year. – March 30, 2015.

roger, lima in south America?

roger, you are back

Real confusing!

http://themalaysianreserve.com/new/story/fed-govt-sees-swift-resolution-selangor-water-issue

Fed govt sees swift resolution to Selangor water issue

The Federal Government is confident that the water deal between Putrajaya and Selangor can be salvaged soon following the state’s willingness to allow access to Federal water pipes.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the Selangor government had granted the federal government access to the land, based on a letter of authority issued by the state government.

The permission sidesteps the Federal Government’s demand for land in which federal water pipes are located to be leased to it, the main point of the current dispute of the implementation of the Master Agreement of the deal signed by the two parties earlier.

Ongkili said new discussions will be held but the Master Agreement will not be amended.

"There is no revision and we will have to stick to the master agreement. Even if the master agreement falls apart, the heads of agreement that both government inked was invokable," Ongkili told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday.

Ongkili said the only stumbling block left is Selangor's refusal to amend its list of asset given as a collateral to the federal government's RM2 billion, where two water assets - Langat and Semenyih - in reality, belongs to the the federal government.

"They are still contesting it (the listing). The state have been operating the water facility for a long time. But that does not mean it is theirs. We are in discussion to explain this to them.

"If rectified, we only have to amend one page of the agreement. No changes will be done on the entire agreement," he added.

The minister also said a new document with minor adjustments would be signed soon between the federal government and Selangor on the water restructuring.

He however did not provide a time frame for the completion, but repeatedly denied claims by Azmin that federal government had demanded the state government to surrender its land as part of the state's water restructuring exercise.

Ongkili stood firm on his previous statement that the land was included as part of the assets listed in the master agreement.

“The master agreement stated that the land above and under the pipelines is part of the assets. It is not true as what claimed by Selangor government that, we have amended the master agreement to demand for the land,” he said.

Ongkili confirmed that officials from both sides had met last Monday and that there was no dispute over the ownership of the land where the water pipes are.

He added that the proposal by the federal government to lease the land where the pipes are from Selangor was no longer necessary following the meeting and that it still remained under the ownership of the state.

He also said there would not be any revision to the price for the takeover of Selangor's water assets.

Meanwhile, Selangor Mentri Besar Mohd Azmin Ali contradicted Ongkili’s statement on the access because new discussions are just going on and Selangor has not come to that decision yet.

However he said the Federal and Selangor governments will stick to the master agreement that was signed by the state government under his predecessor Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ibrahim.

He said negotiations have just started, and all further discussion will be based on the master agreement.

"I will be meeting the minister in coming weeks for detailed discussion. By then, negotiations at all levels would be held," he added.

Azmin had previously said that the Federal Government had not kept to the spirit of the Master Agreement when it raised the ownership of land where federal water assets are located, which was not listed in the agreement.

Singor, well, I m too late to jump n can only hope for solution soon, taking comfort 1.555b is still agreed by both side. Bombs everywhere in the market, no sure win anyway

Singor, those politicians not losing anything, they will just say that they have tried their best fighting the villains from taking advantage. At the end, it will be selangor water users n water co shareholders taking the hit

hng33, thanks... though understand what you have just said, still not sure how the subsidiaries to be sold able to hand over the profits earned after Dec 2013 and before an actual signed S&P

hng33, thought Puncak can't keep the earnings earned from water concession already given that they have agreed to the price?

All thanks to Azmin again!

don't think the whole dilemma is on Ongkili, its more like two different parties bragging their 'marvelous contributions' which amounts to nothing! Guess Azmin is keen to show the public and PR that he can be tough towards BN to strengthen his leadership, a common shows of Malaysia's politicians, even these measures hurt public in the long run

Damn Azmin!

http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/no-federal-access-water-asset-land-yet-says-azmin?type=Markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 25): Selangor says it has yet to decide whether to grant the federal government access to land where the state's water pipes are installed, contrary to what Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili claimed earlier today.

Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali told reporters in parliament today that the state government had just restarted negotiations with the federal government after the master water agreement between the federal government and Selangor, which was twice extended, lapsed.

The deal tanked when Selangor decided not to give the federal government a third extension.

"That (access to the land) is still under discussion. It is only fair for us to go through it [the discussion]. As long as we stick to the CPs (conditions precedent) and terms of the master agreement, which doesn't say about the land, then we can conclude the master agreement," said Azmin.

"We have to complete the CPs on both sides and the CPs do not say we have to surrender the land. But if you [the federal government] changes the "syarat" (terms) you [they] will prolong the process," said Mohamed Azmin.

He affirmed that there was a meeting between Selangor and state government officials on the water deal on Monday and that it was attended by the state secretary and the Ministry's secretary general.

Mohamed Azmin's statement this afternoon negated Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili's claim earlier today that the federal government had been granted access to the land by Selangor.

Ongkili had said officials from both sides met last Monday, and that there was no dispute on the ownership of the land where the water pipes were laid.

Further, Ongkili had also said the proposal by the federal government to lease the land where the pipes were located from Selangor was no longer neccesary following the meeting, and that the land still belonged to Selangor.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin said when the state government decided not to grant another extension on the agreement, the minister had sent him a letter indicating that Selangor was committed to honour the master water agreement.

"I'm committed to resolve this issue. When the federal government also [indicated it] has the [same] commitment, we began the negotiations," he added.

He said he would meet Ongkili in a few weeks but added that there was no timeline yet as to when discussions on the issue would be completed.

"It depends on the negotiations," he said.

Hng33, your posted news sounds promising, wonder why hasn't share price reflected the news?

so after angry with BN shitting on us, we welcome PR to shit on us so that PR can shit on BN to make us happy? SIgh!

wonder if azmin is profiting from this water saga? if yes, what differentiate PR from BN?

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/selangor-putrajaya-water-talks-back-on-mb-confirms

Something to move the share price soon? Have lost my faith in Azmin though, sigh!

SHAH ALAM, March 23 — Putrajaya and Selangor resumed discussions today on its recently suspended water deal, state Menteri Besar Azmin Ali confirmed, after the federal administration agreed to revert to the original agreement inked between the two governments.

According to Azmin, the first meeting since Putrajaya was accused of breaching the deal by demanding state land, was held between state officials led by State Secretary Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and officers from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry led by Secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee.

“They informed me immediately after the meeting that it was a good start and I think I will follow up with another meeting with the minister and hopefully we would be able to conclude all the CPs (Condition precedent) under the master agreement as soon as possible.

“The federal government has agreed to finalise the master agreement based on the original terms that were signed,” he told reporters after officiating the 2015 World Water Day and the 15th anniversary for the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS).

He said he received a letter from the minister stating that Putrajaya is willing to “return to the spirit of the master agreement”.

Two weeks ago, Azmin claimed Putrajaya breached the original terms of the water agreement with Selangor last September when it demanded free land from the state government.

The deputy PKR president told Parliament that the federal government had asked Selangor to hand over the land on which 26,000 km of pipes belonging to state water concessionaires are laid across.

Prior to signing the master agreement, Azmin said representatives from both Selangor and the federal government had gone through the assets list consisting of pipes, water treatment plants, reservoirs and pump stations with a total value of RM14.9 billion.

There was no mention of land in the assets list, he added. The first-term menteri besar had also previously demanded that Putrajaya publicly disclose the details of the water agreement as part of his pledge for accountability to Selangor voters. He had said that a full disclosure of the agreement signed by his predecessor and Putrajaya was necessary to justify the possible impact of the deal on consumers.

so quiet today, all crossing hands waiting for negotiation outcome. Investors money in the hand of politicians, sigh!

another possibility, encouraged by PBA's raised tariff?

Puncak suddenly shoots up, wonder good news coming soon?

PKR don't want to give pocket money to UMNO guys.

Hmm... PKR in Selangor is refraining Syabas from raising water tariff while DAP in Penang is raising water tariff and both are from PR. Is it because Syabas is in the hand of BN while PBA is in the hand of PR? LOL

given azmin record, anything is possible! Still, hope for the best so my money won't be tied too long...

agree with smartly too, sigh! what to do, given government tussle

hng33, yeah, hope it get done by end of this month

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/18/Ongkili-Sgor-MB-has-been-illadvised-over-water-deal/

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Mentri Besar has been ill-advised when he claimed that the Federal Government wanted free land as part of the water restructuring deal in the state, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili (pic).

Dr Ongkili said it was stated in the water agreement signed last Sept 12 that the assets would go together with the land and even on that matter, the Federal Government had compromised.

Selangor, he said, claimed that it had over RM14bil worth of assets – RM10bil worth of pipes and RM4bil worth of treatment plants and reservoirs.

“If that is the case, they should go with the land because if the new concessionaires want to lay new pipes, they need access to them.

“So, we compromised and said, ‘Never mind, even if you cannot give us the land, you can assign to us rights to the land,’” he said after launching the Second International Water Association Malaysia Young Professionals Conference here yesterday.

Mentri Besar Azmin Ali had reportedly said that Selangor decided not to go ahead with the water restructuring deal because the Federal Government wanted “free land”, particularly in relation to the transfer of ownership of land involving 26,000km of pipes.

He had also claimed that land was not part of the main agreement but only the handing over of assets by the concessionaires.

Dr Ongkili also denied Azmin’s claim that the Federal Government would take over the land after the 45-year lease, describing it as “nonsense”.

“Under our lease agreement, the land goes back to the state government. He has not been properly advised,” he said.

Dr Ongkili said he had written to Azmin about the outstanding issues and confusion, and suggested that their officers meet as soon as possible.

“And thereafter, we two can meet,” he said, adding that he was still looking forward to finding a solution or the “option would be tougher. There is no need for re-negotiation”.

However, in Shah Alam, Azmin said he had received Dr Ongkili’s letter stating that the Federal Government was prepared to go back to the negotiation table.

“If they are willing to return to the terms stipulated in the master agreement (signed on Sept 12), we are prepared.

“The problem is that the Federal Government started coming up with new suggestions that are not in the original agreement,” said Azmin.

He also said that Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) had received an operating licence because it was given a year to comply with Selangor’s water restructuring exercise.

The licence given to Splash, he said, was an extraction licence for the concessionaire to tap and treat raw water before this was channelled to consumers.

Former Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had questioned Azmin over the awarding of the licence to Splash at a time when the water deal was at a stalemate.

State-owned Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) will be taking over the state’s water industry from its four concessionaires – Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Konsortium ABASS and Splash.

The first three concessionaires had agreed to the state acquiring them except for Splash.

guess most would assume a deal completion til that damned Azmin spoke last Monday. Now, its anybody's guess while some still believing in a deal to be completed soon to avoid water crisis in Selangor, me included.

money, how would research houses believe in what governments have to offer right now? My guess...

probably falling oil price also contribute, hope good news out in a few days (doubt that myself, sigh!)

Guess no faith in Azmin

hng33, sure hope the deal will be completed soon, but can't help but abhor Azmin's 'strategically dumb' move and hope he would be punished

how much I wish Puncak BOD would add that no additional extension will be granted in its media release

http://www.bursamalaysia.com/market/listed-companies/company-announcements/1903613

We refer to the announcements dated 11 November 2014, 16 December 2014, 7 January 2015, 13 January 2015, 14 January 2015, 10 February 2015, 10 March 2015 and 13 March 2015 in relation to the Proposed Disposals.

On behalf of PNHB, Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad wishes to announce that further to the announcement dated 13 March 2015, the Board of Directors of PNHB had at a meeting convened today deliberated on the further extension of time for the fulfilment of the conditions precedent stated in the conditional sale and purchase agreement dated 11 November 2014 from 9 March 2015 to 9 April 2015 (“3rd Extension of Time”).

The Board of Directors of PNHB, after careful consideration of the matter and having taken into consideration the views and recommendations of the Management of Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, has mutually agreed to the 3rd Extension of Time with Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Temasek Tiasa Sdn Bhd) (“Air Selangor”).

jolie, if azmin is to only trying to clean the left-over shit, he should state clearly at the beginning the viability of the transaction upon his appointment as MB, instead of the other way round. Should he find the land deal not appropriate, he should have stated it clearly at the end of first deadline. I remember clearly that he blamed Puncak for the delay at the end of first deadline! On last Monday, he said the deal will not be completed, yet on Friday, Air Selangor (a subsidiary of Selangor state in charge of the water deal) requested another 1 month delay from Puncak. Azmin is clearly mishandling the water issue right now, and he should apologize not only Selangor people, but shareholders of listed companies affected by his reckless speech.

rich, I am no politician, but guess anyone sacked won't mind saying what Khalid had just said at this moment. I just feel good knowing someone slapping Azmin's face. If Azmin could have mentioned earlier the land issue, I would not have been so furious. Given that he did it only last week and yet have a change of heart (?) through a letter seeking delay is even more shameful!

Personally, I believe Khalid should have resigned when he is not in favored by PR to rule Selangor, being sacked when declining to step down is inevitable.

davidtslim, that's Khalid's words, sure he is extremely happy now given that so many people are angry with Azmin's politicizing, excellent time for him to make a noise

jolie, Kelantan can never be the capital lah, only kota bharu can. We will all live under hudud as well?

Roger, surely. I m on the island side, bayan lepas area. U? Maybe can pick a place to meet

hng33, while I believe Azmin is the main culprit, Putrajaya has contributed too. Should it be that simple, Putrajaya could have offered alternative long ago, officially or unofficially, during the 3 months. All I can say, damn politicians! We are not as rich as the developed nations, and our politicians are acting like one already. Sigh!

jolie, khalid's words is a smack on Azmin's face. Kind of like it when someone is doing it for free for me, hahaha...

kqtay, awer is criticizing azmin for politicizing water deal, citing that Selangor water users will have to eventually bear all cost of restructuring and a delay will not benefit them. This should be a wake up call to Azmin, not Putrajaya!

the land matter is insignificant should they really want to address. If politicians prefer politicizing the issue, why bother letting them have the fun to show off?

hng33, how much I wish Puncak will reply a maximum 7 days delay, after which seeing Azmin in court

Azmin should be sued for creating panic in the market!

http://www.bursamalaysia.com/market/listed-companies/company-announcements/1902209

We refer to the announcements dated 11 November 2014, 16 December 2014, 7 January 2015, 13 January 2015, 14 January 2015, 10 February 2015 and 10 March 2015 in relation to the Proposed Disposals.

On behalf of PNHB, Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad wishes to announce that on 13 March 2015, PNHB had received a written request from Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Temasek Tiasa Sdn Bhd) (“Air Selangor”) for a further extension of time for the fulfilment of the conditions precedent stated in the conditional sale and purchase agreement dated 11 November 2014 (“SPA”) from 9 March 2015 till 9 April 2015 (“3rd Extension of Time”).

As previously announced by PNHB on 10 March 2015, all conditions precedent under the SPA which are to be fulfilled by PNHB have been met.

The Board of Directors of PNHB will deliberate on Air Selangor’s request for the 3rd Extension of Time and thereafter, an announcement will be made by the Company with regards to the decision of its Board of Directors.

This announcement is dated 13 March 2015.

roger, azmin is a sh*tty politician for what I know now, despite my inclination to continue voting for PR.

I would strongly suggest Puncak suing Azmin for his act

think its promising, if real good news, should shoot up already

jolie, azmin is definitely not doing the right thing. if he is sincere about resolving this, he should have stated clearly the conditions, rather than a last minute call off with some stupid reason, of course, only if I am getting the picture right.

http://news.sinchew.com.my/node/413807?tid=1


（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也11日訊）雪州水供協議的爭議再起，能源、綠色工藝及水務部長拿督斯里麥西慕和雪州大臣阿茲敏阿里各執一詞。若這項水供重組計劃繼續再拖延或告吹，將對雪州人民帶來3大影響；雪州也可能在2017年面對大水荒。

大馬水務與能源研究協會（AWER）高級經理林素芳警告，雪州水供協議再起爭議，人民肯定是最後的輸家。

因此她促請中央及州政府公開雪州水供重組主要協議內容，以把所有條款攤在陽光下，由大眾去評估誰是誰非，也監督合約的執行。

該協會也促請中央政府和雪州政府勿再對此協議爭議不休，雙方應坐下來好好談，以免犧牲人民的利益。

水費漲鬧水荒……拖延協議有3後果

若雪州水供協議受到拖延，可能造成的4個後果如下：第一：目前四家私營化水供公司將可以按照原本合約條款調高水費。

林素芳說，由於政治因素，雪州的水費調漲問題，暫時被擱置。一旦水供重組計劃告吹，很難要求這些私營化公司透明化他們的營運成本，加上他們至少還有十餘年的特許經營權在手，未來十多年，這些公司就可以按照合約條款調漲水費。

第二：無收益水問題無法解決，水供公司成本轉嫁給雪州用戶。

她說，雪州有很多陳舊的輸水管，一年浪費了很多的無收益水，而在有關的合約中，本來是要減少無收益水的問題，但若無法成事，更換陳舊水管的計劃又要被擱置，無收益水問題沒有解決，水供公司又得面對這筆損失，但羊毛始終會出自羊身上，料最終水供公司將把這筆損失轉嫁給用戶。

第三：隨時面對水供短缺風險她指出，在該合約中，雪州政府將批准土地的使用，讓中央政府建造冷岳河二濾水廠，但如果合約告吹，冷岳河二濾水廠就建不成。本來預計在2017年的時候，冷岳河二濾水廠，每日預計的食用水生產量是11億3千萬公升，供應給雪州南部和吉隆坡地區的用戶。

目前雪隆每日所生產的食用水是46億公升，而雪隆人民每日的需水量達到了該數字的95%，州內只剩下5%的淨水儲備量，已經達到飽和，萬一發生大型輸水管破裂、水源污染或如去年的長期氣候干旱，雪州人民就會面對水供不足的問題，重演過去的歷史。

她認為，咖啡山和士毛月水壩的水務資產，是由中央政府撥款建造的，所以應該屬於中央政府所有，但是土地則屬於雪州政府。

她補充，每一個州的土地都是屬於各州政府的管轄權力，除了一些特別的地方是屬於中央政府之外。

指阿茲敏“雞蛋裡挑骨頭”

針對中央政府和雪州政府目前爭議的協議中，屬於中央的水務資產管理公司（PAAB）所接管的雪州水供公司等各造的資產，是否有包括水管所經過和裝置的土地時，她說，在這個課題上，雪大臣阿茲敏阿里顯然在“雞蛋裡挑骨頭”。

她說，就好比建屋子不可能不建在土地上的情況一樣，中央政府要接管的這些水務資產，如濾水廠、水壩，也是建在土地下或土地上的，不可能是建在空中，所以在有關的協議中，這些土地也應該是屬於中央政府的。

她說，在有關的協議中，雪州有96億5千萬令吉的負債資產，當中有20億令吉是用來收購4家水務公司，還有76億5千萬令吉的水務資產債務。而雪州政府的雪州水務私人有限公司（Air Selangor Sdn Bhd，ASSB）要解決這筆債務，就要把價值96億5千萬令吉的資產暫時交給PAAB作為抵押，這是很公平的程序。其他已經進行水務重組的州屬包括檳城、霹靂、柔佛及森美蘭都是如此。

她說，既然在協議中要把資產暫時抵押給PAAB，那這些土地就暫時不屬於雪州政府所有。

合約滿土地歸州政府

她說，據瞭解，雙方也簽署了一份長達45年的租賃合約，在這項合約內，ASSB每年就會依據合約內容，固定償還多少的貸款給PAAB，一旦約滿，還清債務，這些資產就會歸還給雪州政府。

“這表示45年後，ASSB沒有負債以後，這些土地就會屬於州政府。”

不過她表示，為了消除阿茲敏阿里的疑慮，在轉移資產給PAAB的協議上，雪州政府可以附加一個條款闡明，“水務資產所在的土地，也會一併租給中央政府，不過是零收費。”

土地租賃中央零收費

她解釋，為何租賃土地給中央政府又不能收費的原因，是因為96億5千萬令吉的債務是由人民的水費中支付，如果租賃上述在水務資產上的土地還要收費，表示雪州水務債務會更高，那這筆費用最後還是由人民去承擔。

無論如何，她說，目前雙方簽署的是水供重組計劃主要協議（Master Agreement），這表示裡面的條款，需要雙方一致同意了，才算是正式生效。相反的，如果這裡面有任何的條款無法兌現，表示可以取消這個協議。

林素芳說，若雙方不清楚各自在這個水供重組合約中的責任與角色，該如何重組雪州的水務業，該協會樂意開班授課，把他們各自的角色解釋得一清二楚。

Hng33, PR words on water deal has 0 value, especially azmin

Langkawi, do you live in selangor or langkawi? If water deal in limbo, hope you are in selangor all the while

Solution coming? Or another trap again by damned azmin?