JELI, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk
Seri Mustapa Mohamed said today it is incumbent upon the PAS-led state
government to provide quality water for the sake of the people''s health and to
retain investors.
The international trade and industry minister said the state government has
to ensure that the potable water is on par with that supplied in the other
states because the official data of the Malaysian Water Industry Guide 2011
shows that the quality of water in Kelantan is the worst in the country.
Mustapa said poor water quality could spark infectious diseases in the
people.
"State Health Department statistics show a high rate of water-related
diseases in Kelantan. We ask the relevant authorities to take immediate steps
before it is too late," he told reporters after meeting support staff of the
State Education Department at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Bunga, here.
Mustapa said the biggest threat to the health of the Kelantan people is the
amounts of arsenic metal, manganese and iron in excess of the permissible level
set by the Health Ministry''s 2009 Drinking Water Quality Standard.
-- MORE
KELANTAN-WATER 2 (LAST) JELI
In Bachok, Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Dr Awang
Adek Hussin said supplying clean water has been a main problem in Kelantan since
PAS came to power in the state.
The deputy finance minister said that besides affected the people''s health,
it is also frightening away potential investors, especially in the textile and
electronic industries.
"Not tackling this issue will be detrimental to public health and investors
who rely on clean water. For example, quality water is needed to clean
electronic equipment and we see that investors refuse to invest here, citing
unclean water as a reason," he told reporters after launching the "Prihatin
1Malaysia" programme.
He said the never-ending water issue will weaken government efforts to
attract foreign investors to the state, as well as efforts to create job
opportunities for the community.
Dr Awang Adek advised the people to give the Barisan Nasional a chance in
the next general election so that it can resolve the water problem once and for
all.
-- BERNAMA
MRA NAA HK IZ MGN
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