Shah alam: A total of 209 water theft cases were reported in Selangor last year, the State Legislative Assembly sitting was told today. State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim stated that 184 cases involved commercial accounts, while the remainder involved domestic accounts.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of March this year, 43 cases of water theft have been recorded, involving 12 domestic accounts and 31 commercial accounts. Izham highlighted that water theft affects the supply system and interests of legitimate users, impacting non-revenue water rates, water pressure stability, and the integrity of the existing pipe network.

Izham explained that the state government, through the Air Selangor Enforcement Section, has been conducting continuous monitoring, intelligence actions, and enforcement under the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) to curb water theft. These efforts include strategies to address the issue effectively.

In response to an oral question from Mohd Razali Saari (PN-Sungai Panjang) about developments in water theft cases, Izham elaborated on the measures implemented by the state government. These measures include daily preventive monitoring in high-risk areas, addressing complaints from frontliners, community collaboration, and official complaints to Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) via smartphone applications.

Additionally, integrated operations have been carried out by Air Selangor in collaboration with the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), local authorities, and the media to tackle the problem of water theft in the region.