The Parliamentary Opposition Leader’s Roundtable Meeting on Water Bills today asked Prime Minister to intervene and withdraw the two Water Bills as national sovereignty is at stake.

The passing of the two bills to open door to privatisation would also eventually allow foreigners to take over water companies.

Malaysia is a signatory to General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS) and it would allow MNCs to take over water and sewerage services in the country if it is run by privatised business entities and not provided as part of government services to the people.

Parliament should reaffirm water as a fundamental right and it has a duty to promote that right to water.

The two water bills are not only about water but about our national sovereignty.

“Are we to be the generation to be known to have sold our independence and national sovereignty,” asked one environmentalist.

The meeting also resolved to submit a series of amendments to the bills to incorporate recommendations of the civil society.