SHAH ALAM (Sept 03): The Selangor government says it will seal the water restructuring deal with the relevant parties by next week, to complete the long delayed water consolidation exercise in the state.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, speaking to reporters today, said the deal could be signed as early as this weekend.

It is understood that it involves multiple agreements concerning the state government, federal government and its agencies, as well as the water concessionaires.

In February, Selangor signed a memorandum of understanding with Putrajaya, for the state to take over the four water concessionaires operating in the state — Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Bhd (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd (ABBAS) and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash).

Syabas, PNSB and ABBAS have accepted the buyout offer, while Splash has rejected  it.

Asked today about Splash’s rejection, Khalid said the agreement would address the issue.

"It will be part of the agreement. We will leave it at the end, so that it will be resolved as per Wasia (Water Services Industry Act 2006).

"It includes the arrangement agreed by the state and the federal government, with regards to resolving the issue of Splash," he said.

Section 114 of Wasia provides for the state to forcibly take over Splash.