Johor exco man hits out at state water operator after 1,000 in Kulai left dry over Hari Raya

JOHOR BARU: A state executive councillor here has hit out at water operator Ranhill SAJ after 1,000 people in Kulai were forced to spend their Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration without water.

Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, who is also Bukit Permai assemblyman, said he was very disappointed with the operator’s service.

“The water supply issue at Gagasan Murni Jaya, Kg Sri Muar and Felda Bukit Permai is an issue that has been going on for years and is more critical during festive seasons.

“This year, some 1,000 people from these three areas and around them celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a sad and difficult manner as there was no water.

“The taps ran dry, and the lorries supplying water were late,” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (April 11).

Mohd Jafni said that he had previously expressed his concerns about water supply during Hari Raya Aidilfitri but was assured by Ranhill SAJ that they were prepared.

“Two weeks before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I personally went to Ranhill SAJ to hear their briefings on short-term, middle-term, and long-term solutions to curb the water supply issue.

“In fact, I had even expressed my concerns about water supply during Hari Raya. Ranhill SAJ said that the water supply will continue running and that lorries carrying water tanks have also been scheduled to deliver it.

“However, in Kg Sri Muar, the water supply was cut off for four days, and the Masjid Felda Bukit Permai even had to go through Hari Raya Aidilfitri without water,” he said.

Mohd Jafni urged Ranhill SAJ to immediately solve the problem and that he had taken all measures to make things easier for the water company.

“What is the point of all the visits and work that has been done with millions of ringgit spent if the problem continues?

“On behalf of the people of Gugusan Murni Jaya, Kg Sri Muar, Felda Bukit Permai and areas around them, I would like to express our disappointment towards SAJ Ranhill. I hope this issue will be solved immediately,” he said.

On Wednesday (April 3), Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that steps have been taken to ensure that taps remain running throughout Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

He said the hot weather has caused water levels to drop at some of the dams and water tanks in several areas in the state.

“I have asked (water operator) Ranhill SAJ to make the necessary preparations to overcome the lack of water supply in some districts.

“It will be mobilising 27 lorries with water tanks and 294 static water tanks at hotspots throughout the state as part of its Aidilfitri operations from Wednesday (April 3) until April 17,” he said, adding that high water consumption is expected from April 9 until April 14.