Why Opposition MPs excluded from the briefing by Keng Yaik on the two water bills on SPAN and Water Services Industry Act?

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Media Statement (2)
by Lim Kit Siang  
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(Parliament, Thursday): I first read of the briefing by the Minister for Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik on the two water bills, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Bill and the Water Services Industry Bill given to MPs yesterday in today’s press.

I phoned up Parliament to check and was told that the briefing was meant for Barisan Nasional MPs and was held at a hotel  outside Parliament.  There was not a single Opposition MP at Keng Yaik’s briefing yesterday.

Keng Yaik should explain why he had broken his undertaking given in Parliament last year to give a briefing on the two water bills to  all Members of Parliament whether of the ruling coalition or Opposition – and whether he is prepared to hold a special briefing for Opposition MPs so that the consultation process by him on the two water bills is a meaningful one and not a one-sided affair.

(24/02/2006)