Latest news with #SPAN
The Star
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Firm gets RM326mil for measures to reduce non-revenue water
(Front row) Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (third from right), Adam Saffian (fourth from right), Air Selangor NRW head Kelvin Siew (second from left) with other VIPs and guests during the incentive presentation ceremony. Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) has received a remuneration incentive of RM326mil under the National Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Programme. This was in recognition of its consistent and effective efforts in reducing the NRW rate for the 2023 assessment year. Air Selangor is the main water utility provider in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor. It is also the largest water services provider in the country. The company began NRW reduction activities in-house in 2017 when it reduced the NRW level to 33.2%. In 2023, it recorded a reduction in the NRW level to 27.7%. This achievement also exceeded the NRW Matching Grant target of 28.5% set by National Water Services Commission (SPAN). This government grant is an incentive to support water service providers in achieving the NRW reduction targets set by SPAN. Air Selangor achieved the reduction thanks to several internal initiatives carried out since 2017. Among these were the launch of the 'Report Leaks' campaign which encouraged the public to identify and promptly report water leaks. This saw 95,811 public-reported leaks successfully repaired between August 2023 and March 2025. Last year, Air Selangor increased the number of Leak Inspectors from 187 to 210, leading to the detection of more than 160,000 leak cases across its pipe network. The company also implemented the 'Active Leakage Control Programme' which added 100 district metering zones annually, with the aim of achieving 80% coverage by 2028. Additionally, a 'Pipe Replacement Programme' and pressure management measures have contributed to a reduction in the Pipe Burst Index of 3.25 pipe bursts per 100km, compared to the global benchmark of 13 bursts per 100km. Air Selangor also introduced 20 pressure management zones annually. This helped to reduce excessive pressure in the system, lowering risk of leaks and pipe bursts. To detect leaks within the reticulation pipe system, the company uses a permanent monitoring system. Called the' Leak Noise Correlating Logger', it enables repair actions as soon as data shows a leak. The use of 'Pressure Transient' technology on main pipes was started to enable earlier leak detection, allowing fast repair works aimed at preventing water supply disruptions. This technology is also used by water operators in Singapore, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Air Selangor also reports less commercial losses, including customer meter replacements and enforcement actions against illegal connections. Air Selangor chief executive officer Adam Saffian Ghazali said the incentive payout was the fourth under the National NRW Programme. 'We are truly honoured by this recognition of the efforts we have undertaken. 'Air Selangor will continue to strengthen our NRW reduction initiatives to enhance operational efficiency for the benefit of 9.62 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. 'Moving forward, Air Selangor will work towards achieving its NRW reduction target of 25% by 2030,' said Adam Saffian. Air Selangor also urges the public to promptly report incidents of leaking or burst pipes, illegal pipe connections, or meter manipulations. They can do so via Air Selangor 2.0 mobile app, Air Selangor's official social media channels, or
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Johor exco member rubbishes ‘sabotage' claims behind delay in water repair job
JOHOR BARU: A state executive councillor has denied claims that repair works for last week's water disruption were deliberately delayed to "sabotage" the PKR national congress. Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said there was no connection between the two incidents at all. "Macam tak ada kerja pula (It is as if we have nothing to do). 'This (the water issue) has nothing to do with the congress,' he told a press conference on the sidelines of the Johor state assembly here on Monday (May 26). Mohamad Fazli was responding to media questions about rumours that the repair works were delayed due to the congress. The PKR national congress, which includes the congresses for PKr Youth and Wanita PKR, were held last Friday and Saturday. On the water disruption, he said workshops would be held soon with water operator Ranhill SAJ to establish better standard operating procedures (SOPs) to handle such crises in the future. 'We will be having the workshop in a week or two to review the existing SOPs, including the communication process with account holders. 'One of the main issues raised was the water operator's failure to inform users early on about the faulty water pumps, which led them to continue using water from their reserve tanks as usual,' he said. Asked if action would be taken against the operator, Mohamad Fazli said only the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) had the authority to do so. 'Only SPAN can take action, as they are the regulatory body for water operators. 'They have received a report on the incident and are monitoring the situation. 'We will wait to see what they decide, whether to take action against the operator or review the existing SOPs,' he said. Earlier, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that over 155,000 account holders affected by the disruption would receive a 15% rebate. Onn Hafiz also apologised on behalf of the state government to all Johoreans affected by the crisis. The water disruption, which began on Wednesday (May 21), lasted until Saturday (May 24), affecting account holders in Iskandar Puteri and Johor Baru.
Pembrokeshire Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Harbour set to come alive with song and opera in SPAN's Big Sing
Massed choir and street art opera to take centre stage at Saundersfoot SAUNDERSFOOT Harbour will be transformed into a vibrant stage of sound and colour on Friday, May 24, as SPAN Arts hosts its much-anticipated Big Sing event—bringing together choirs, composers, filmmakers and street artists in a spectacular free celebration of music and creativity. The evening begins at 7:30pm with the grand premiere of Songs of the Land, a new choral work by Pembrokeshire-born composer James Williams, performed live by a massed choir made up of singing groups from across the county. The piece is the final outcome of SPAN's Love Stories to Nature commission—a year-long project exploring people's personal and collective connections to the Welsh landscape. The choirs involved in the commission have helped shape the composition by contributing their own stories and reflections about their relationship with the land. The result is a moving musical work that not only celebrates community, but also documents a shared experience of place, memory and identity. As darkness falls, audiences will be treated to a dramatic shift in tone as Music Theatre Wales presents two newly commissioned Street Art Opera films—Rahmat–Mercy–Trugaredd and Out of Time—projected onto the side of the Saundersfoot Coastal Schooner. Both pieces fuse music, animation, street art and storytelling to deliver operatic experiences rooted in contemporary themes. Rahmat–Mercy–Trugaredd, inspired by Sufi spirituality and hip-hop culture, follows a young woman's journey to empowerment through creativity. The work blends henna art and graffiti with a soaring operatic score to powerful effect. In contrast, Out of Time offers a darkly comic vision of a post-human world where nature has reasserted its dominance. As the Earth reclaims its beauty, the opera asks whether it's too late for redemption. Organisers say the event is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with no tickets or booking required. The performances are part of a broader effort by SPAN Arts and Music Theatre Wales to take high-quality cultural experiences beyond traditional venues and into the heart of local communities. A spokesperson for SPAN Arts said: 'This is a truly special evening—one that brings together voices from across Pembrokeshire, world-class artists, and cutting-edge storytelling in a setting that's hard to beat. We hope people of all ages will join us to celebrate the power of creativity, nature and community.'
Free Malaysia Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Resignations not enough, green group says on appointment of SPAN boss
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An environmental group is insisting that Abdul Kadir Din's appointment as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) be revoked despite him resigning from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said Kadir's resignation from these posts 'does not provide sufficient comfort and assurance'. 'The mere likelihood or perception of the potential for a conflict of interest remains in the public eye, given the chairman's links to these companies,' SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a statement. She said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. 'SPAN is meant to be an independent body to supervise and regulate water supply and sewerage services, which is a vital function to be performed in the public interest, free from the influence of vested interests.' Yesterday, the energy transition and water transformation ministry confirmed that Kadir had resigned from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest. It said that resigning from these posts was mandatory for appointment to the position. The ministry said Kadir had also stepped down 'several years ago' as adviser to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which provides water supply services and operates water and wastewater treatment plants, among others. The ministry said each member of the commission, including the chairman, was subject to a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, and that Kadir had no authority to make executive decisions unilaterally. It was responding to Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who had raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following Kadir's appointment. Kadir was appointed as SPAN chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago whose two-year term had come to an end.
Daily Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Resignations not enough, green group says on appointment of SPAN boss
Published on: Friday, May 09, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: An environmental group is insisting that Abdul Kadir Din's appointment as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) be revoked despite him resigning from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said Kadir's resignation from these posts 'does not provide sufficient comfort and assurance'. 'The mere likelihood or perception of the potential for a conflict of interest remains in the public eye, given the chairman's links to these companies,' SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a statement. She said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. 'SPAN is meant to be an independent body to supervise and regulate water supply and sewerage services, which is a vital function to be performed in the public interest, free from the influence of vested interests.' Yesterday, the energy transition and water transformation ministry confirmed that Kadir had resigned from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest. It said that resigning from these posts was mandatory for appointment to the position. The ministry said Kadir had also stepped down 'several years ago' as adviser to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which provides water supply services and operates water and wastewater treatment plants, among others. The ministry said each member of the commission, including the chairman, was subject to a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, and that Kadir had no authority to make executive decisions unilaterally. It was responding to Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who had raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following Kadir's appointment. Kadir was appointed as SPAN chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago whose two-year term had come to an end. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
