SEREMBAN: Syarikat Air Negri Sembilan (SAINS) should waive the January water bill for those affected by the recent floods in the state, says MCA state chairman Siow Koi Voon.

       He said the announcement by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun that SAINS was in no position to do so as the state water concessionaire had also incurred massive losses during the floods was unacceptable.

       "We are extremely disappointed that the MB has decided against waiving a month's bill for the flood victims, some of whom lost tens of thousands of ringgit.

       "The floods were a disaster for many and SAINS in our opinion, can do its bit for them," he said when met at the state MCA office.

       Siow said the statement by Aminuddin, who is also SAINS chairman, that each of the affected families would only have to pay between RM20 and RM30 more to clean their homes was also uncalled for.

       He said this was the time for the state government to use whatever means possible to help the victims.

       "They used to boast that the state government had reserves of more than RM1bil. Why can't the state use these funds to help them now?," he asked.

       Siow said Aminuddin's justification that the state government had already given an RM1,000 aid each to these victims also doesn't hold water as these victims need all the help they can get now.

       He expressed hope that Aminuddin would reconsider his decision.

       "Now is the right occasion to help these victims. Please show empathy as many people are upset with the decision," he said.

       On Wednesday, Aminuddin said SAINS would also have to bear a high cost for repairs after several of its treatment plants were submerged during the floods.

       SAINS, he said, also had to bring in heavy machinery to clear debris from its plants as well as to carry out repair works on other damaged infrastructure.

       It also had to carry out re-wiring works at some plants which were completely submerged.

       Supply to several districts was also interrupted as heavy rains had also caused landslides and the deterioration of raw water quality at some plants.

       He said this when asked if SAINS will follow in the footsteps of Air Selangor which has decided to waive the January bill for households affected by floods in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

       An estimated 5,000 families in the state have been affected by the floods.