GEORGE TOWN: A DAP politician has hit out at a water company for cutting water supply to a squatter village near Bedong, Kedah, saying it should have taken a humanitarian approach to the situation.
In particular, he referred to a provision under Section D, Clause 20.3, which states that termination of water supply to squatters requires a court order.
The regulation, which came into effect on Aug 15, 2014, is part of a subsidiary law under the Water Services Industry Act 2006.
“If it had gone to court, the court could have considered the plight of the residents and the implications of water termination to their health and well-being,” he said, urging Sada to reconnect the water supply.
They rely on water from the well and harvest rainwater.
There are just two water pipes, one at each end of the village.
The landowners have refused to allow the installation of power lines or individual water meters.
Ramasamy urged the Kedah government not to wash its hands of the matter, saying it should waive the bill and find ways to help the villagers.
“Terminating water supply to residents, even if they are living on private land, is an act of extreme cruelty,” he said.
Previously, Kedah executive councillor Summugam Rengasamy said the state government had tried to help the squatters by getting them to stay at another neighbourhood, but they refused to do so.