Water is essential for life.
Its social significance is amplified at a time when many parts of the country are sizzling during a heatwave. A drought has also resulted in certain reservoirs in danger of drying up.
This serious situation has compelled some desperate people to find ways and means of gaining access to water for drinking, washing utensils and taking a shower.
Thus, while the case of the MP who allegedly tapped water from a fire hydrant may be deemed reprehensible, we can also understand the context of her controversial action.
Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff was reported to have used water from a hydrant as an alternative water source for her constituents during a recent dry spell. Water from the hydrant was siphoned into a tanker for free distribution to people in the Rantau Panjang MP’s constituency.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department director Zainal Madasin said Siti Zailah had not requested permission to take water from the hydrant.
The MP, however, claimed the Rantau Panjang fire station had approved her request to use water from the hydrant for distribution to nearby residents.
The Ministry of Local Government Development stepped in to conduct a detailed probe on the MP’s controversial action.
We can pick up a few important pointers from this episode.
First, Section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1988 makes it an offence to take water from a fire hydrant for purposes other than firefighting. Such an act could interfere with firefighters’ attempts to save lives and property in the most effective way possible. This means anyone, irrespective of position, committing such an offence could face prosecution. There should not be double standards.
Yes, water is essential for survival; yet there are people who take water for granted.
For example, certain state governments and private corporations have degraded or destroyed water catchment areas and indulged in rampant deforestation. Such deplorable activities will worsen climate change and wreak havoc when flash floods and extreme drought hit nearby communities.
The hydrant controversy also reminds us of the water problems that Kelantan and Kedah residents face.
In Kelantan, some people have endured the discomfort of receiving ‘teh tarik’ (frothy tea) from the tap for many years.
Granted, the state’s water problems are complex and can be traced back to an ageing, inadequate water delivery system. Old pipes need to be replaced and water treatment plants may be too old to work at full capacity.
These are serious problems that the state governments have to grapple with for the people’s wellbeing. Unfortunately, certain state governments have not done enough to ease the people’s plight.
The Kelantan government, in particular, has to put in more effort to resolve the state’s water woes, which have festered for many years. Spending exorbitant sums on replacing old cars with brand new Mercedes Benzes, as the state executive councillors did not too long ago, gives the impression that they are not that serious about the people’s plight. Such expensive purchases show where the state government’s priorities lie.
The provision of reliable water supply is a challenge that any responsible government would prioritise for the people’s wellbeing.
That is why it is mind-boggling to see certain politicians and political parties busy indulging in divisive racial and religious politics, which results in economic stagnation and a decline in education and living standards.
Worse, if coffee-shop talk is to be believed, certain political leaders may be busy plotting to oust a sitting government at a time when many folk are struggling with poverty, unemployment, underemployment, indebtedness, poor public services and a sluggish economy.
From a broader perspective, the fire hydrant case shows us that political leaders have to do much more to douse the fires of public discontent.
Mustafa K Anuar
Co-editor, Aliran newsletter
10 May 2023
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
