New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post
New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/03/27/ukms-water-woes-to-be-raised-in-parliament/
UKM's water woes to be raised in Parliament
Water woes plaguing Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is set to be raised during the Parliament’s Budget debate next week.
DAP’s Serdang Member of Parliament, Ong Kian Ming, said the water woes affecting the country’s prestigious university had been an ongoing issue for the past ten years.
This led to some 50 students to hold a sit-in protest at the university’s chancellor’s office after the Friday prayers here today following a recent water shortage issue which had lasted for close to two weeks
“UKM says that Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) is responsible while the water concessionaire company claims that its responsibility ends at the university’s gate.
“Syabas also added that the water woes in UKM is caused by internal piping issues,” Ong said to reporters when attending the sit-in protest organised by Mahasiswa Tuntut Air (MATA).
The protest, which was met by resistance from the UKM authorities for being deemed illegal, saw students being ordered to leave by the university’s security guards.
However, many stood their ground and demanded a response from UKM officials.
Ong, who then met a UKM representative, said the recent water shortages was caused by ammonia and manganese poisoning at the Semenyih water treatment plant, according to a university official.
“However, the explanation given is not comprehensive as outside UKM there is water,” the DAP election strategist said.
He now plans to work together with the university, state authorities and Syabas to find an amicable solution to the problem.
“We will bring the necessary help from either the federal or state level as well as procure necessary information from all parties,” Ong promised.
A meeting has also been set for April 1 with Syabas, with a student representative invited to attend.
“The meeting with the university administrators will be held once they have responded to me,” said Ong.
In the meantime, he urged UKM to use the social networks to update students on the water shortage issue.
“If the university wants to be a world-class university, it should be able to consolidate relevant information and put it out onto their Twitter and Facebook pages so that students know what is going on.”
The protest, which began at 2pm, ended peacefully at 3.10pm.
UKM officials have declined commenting on the matter and said a press statement would be released in due time.
