Food Sellers, Restaurant Owners Lament Operations Badly Affected By Water Woes

The water woes occurring in Selangor over the past two months have taken their toll on food stalls and restaurant operators, not only in the state, but also in the city.

Muslim Restaurant Operators Association (PRESMA) President Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said over 600 members of the association had lodged complaints that their businesses were badly affected by the water crisis.

"Now, we have to spend between RM300 and RM500 a day just to purchase clean water, as well as disposable plates and cups," he told Bernama when contacted here Thursday.

The water rationing plan in Selangor was implemented last month when the water treatment plants in Cheras Batu 11 and Bukit Tampoi were forced to stop operation after the ammonia content in the raw water rose to dangerous level.

Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced that the state government would announce further decision on the water rationing plan next week.

Noorul Hassan said as restaurant operators, they were badly burdened by the water woes and now they felt like no one cared about the problems were facing.

"Although the water rationing plan is being implemented, problems still exist because in some restaurants, toilets had to be closed up to two days during dry taps.

"When the water supply is restored, the water is usually murky and yellowish in colour. How can we use this water? The quality of our food will be badly affected," he said.

Noorul Hassan said PRESMA had issued a memo to all its members to use disposable plates and cups to minimise the use of water.

He said the crisis also proved that the state government failed to manage the state's water industry, which also affected the state's economic growth and foreign investment.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Ahmad Selamat said the water crisis had also affected over 5,000 hawkers and petty trader in the city.

"The water woes have clearly cut at least a quarter of the monthly income of hawkers and petty traders in the city, especially in Wangsa Maju, Cheras, Bandar Tun Razak and Batu here.

"I really hope that this water crisis will end soon because these hawkers and petty traders are depending solely on the income from their businesses. Don't let the water crisis forces them to close shop," he said.

Ahmad said instead of pointing fingers and making excuses, the state government should come out with a long-term plan on how to solve the crisis and prevent recurrence.