The new political situation in Malaysia means greater diversity in how problems are perceived and how they can be solved. Policy competition between states also means that each state has more opportunities to learn from others. This is welcome because some of the challenges these states face today are enormous.
Reports of the intense water battle in Selangor have featured in the mainstream media throughout 2009. Most of these speak of tensions arising between the Selangor State Government and the Federal Government, or with water concession companies, over its attempts to reach a solution in its consolidation exercise. Numerous incidents have peppered the exchange, and it is difficult to determine whether a successful outcome will be achieved in the near future.
This is unfortunate as the water industry is already muddled with problems and a solution needs to be reached immediately.
