KUALA LUMPUR – A global recognition for state water provider Air Selangor has driven Malaysians into a frenzy, with many calling the acclaim “a joke”.
Some, however, are more positive, urging the water authority to use this international recognition to improve itself, after a slew of unscheduled water cuts this year have eroded public confidence in the agency.
In a tweet today, Air Selangor revealed that it has just been recognised as being “highly commended” at the Global Water Awards 2020 in the Public Water Agency of the Year category.
“This prestigious award is a recognition of our excellent achievement in delivering clean and safe treated water to our consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya.
“We thank you for your continuous support and will continue to strive in giving you the best customer experience,” it said.
A check on the Global Water Awards website found that Air Selangor was among the top four shortlisted for the public water agency of the year award.
Nominations for the awards are shortlisted by a panel of industry experts, and the winners voted for by the Global Water Intelligence and Water Desalination Report subscribers, reflecting the views of the international water community.
Klang MP and former National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago, when contacted, said he hoped the award would encourage Air Selangor to do better.
“If we ask people of Selangor, I think they will laugh at it. But I’m not sure what are the criteria in which the agencies were judged. The fact remains that by recognising Air Selangor, it will push them to do better.
“I would like to be open and congratulate them, but this (recognition) is actually also a way of saying, please buck up,” he said.
The Vibes has contacted the Global Water Awards, which is sponsored by Dupont Water Solutions, to seek clarification on the criteria for nominations and is awaiting a response.
The Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (Awer) President S. Piarapakaran said it perplexed him how Air Selangor was shortlisted as the top four public water agencies in the world, seeing all the issues they are facing.
Piarapakaran said while the agency should be lauded for its management of the water crisis, he does not believe it should have been recognised based on overall performance.
“If they are evaluating purely on crisis management and response time, then we have to give Air Selangor credit. The pollutants are not entirely its fault.
“But I also have to ask if this award organiser is actually a scam. It sounds flawed if Air Selangor is recognised based on the overall planning and implementation,” he said.
On Twitter, responding to Air Selangor’s announcement, @his_himness posted: “Highly commended globally. Highly condemned locally.”
@pj_scorpion said: “Air Selangor does not deserve this award. Was it awarded by mistake?”
@HRPJ77 tweeted: “Thanks Air Selangor. I really need a joke,” a sentiment that was shared by any others in the comment section. – The Vibes, December 10, 2020
