KUALA LUMPUR – PKR’s Wangsa Maju MP Tan Yee Kew is unfazed by those questioning her political allegiance after her proposed class action suit against Selangor agencies over Klang Valley’s frequent water cuts.
She told The Vibes that keeping quiet over any incompetency out of political loyalty is counterproductive for a parliamentarian given how they are supposed to be safeguarding the people’s interests.
“It is time we change such a mentality. We cannot keep on defending the ineptitude of officers from state agencies just because our party is the government of the day.
“We can never progress if we keep on doing that. We the MPs are not part of the government. We are the people’s watchdog.”
Tan had, on her Facebook account two days ago, called on the residents in the Klang Valley to join her class action suit against several state agencies in Selangor over the spate of water disruptions – that happened since March.
The latest water supply disruption happened on October 19 where 1.2 million households were affected after four Selangor water treatment plants had to shut down due to odour pollution.
On October 17, several districts in Selangor experienced disruptions due to pipe leakage, among others.
“We cannot always be political. It does not matter if it’s the federal government, the PH (Pakatan Harapan) government of the PN (Perikatan Nasional) government.
“We want to make sure the agencies are not underperforming. We are not going to defend them.”
She said her initiative has gotten the blessing from her peers in PH, adding that some even encouraged her to persevere.
The outfits that are being sued are Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, Selangor Water Management Authority, National Water Services Commission and the Department of Environment.
Five legal firms – Messrs Calvin Khoo, Messrs Fithril Rahim & Co, Messrs Wun, Lee & Partners, Saha & Associates, and Preakas & Partners – are assisting Tan and the residents in this class action.
The suit will be filed once they have 500 plaintiffs.
The Vibes has contacted two of the firms handling the matter but they were unable to furnish the latest number of plaintiffs as they have yet to tally the figures due to the ongoing conditional movement control order.
For details, visit her Facebook account or contact her office. – The Vibes, October 21, 2020
