PEOPLE in Kuala Lumpur are getting hot under the collar as their taps run dry, sometimes for days on end. A harassed government minister recently assured residents of the Malaysian capital and the surrounding Klang Valley water cuts would not exceed three hours. Less than a week later tens of thousands of people have learned they could experience disruptions of up to 33 hours this month. The announcement led to an outcry from Jalan Penaga, where some of the capital's wealthiest citizens live, to Subang Jaya, an area of middle-class terraced houses and flats. Syed Jalal Abdullah, president of the People's Association of Petaling Jaya, the satellite township, said residents had to suffer frequent water cuts, which sometimes lasted four days. 'We are more than fed up,' he said. Last month, residents of Bangsar, which includes Jalan Penaga, were told water supplies would be interrupted for 12 hours on a specified day to allow the relocation of pipes. However, taps ran dry 24 hours before the cut-off time and stayed that way for six days. Water tankers were sent to the affected areas, but many residents complained they were not home to receive supplies because they were not given advance notice. The car park of the prestigious Royal Lake Club, usually quiet on week nights, was full each evening as members used the premises for showers. After being inundated with complaints, the Government instructed the Works Ministry to 'identify the causes of the frequent disruptions'. Works Minister S. Samy Vellu was told by a journalist that people had expressed annoyance. His response? People were 'annoyed over everything'.
