REVOKE APPOINTMENT OF SPAN CHAIRMAN TO AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) calls on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to revoke the appointment of Abdul Kadir Din, who was recently appointed as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), due to concerns over the possibility of conflicts of interest, given his connection to private water and waste management-related companies.

According to recent media reports, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry has said that the newly appointed Chairman of SPAN has resigned from his posts from the companies involved.

Media reports state that Kadir was the managing director of Sacra Sol Sdn Bhd, a waste management company and also advisor to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which is linked to Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd, a company managing water services in Johor.

In our view, the resignation of Kadir from these companies does not provide sufficient comfort and assurance, because the mere likelihood or perception of the potential for a conflict of interest remains in the public eye, given the Chairman’s links to these companies.

For good governance and the integrity of SPAN in carrying out its functions without any fear of favour, any chairman or member of the Commission must be independent and remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry.

This is because SPAN is meant to be an independent body to supervise and regulate water supply and sewerage services, which is a vital function to be performed in the public interest, free from the influence of vested interests.

SPAN must command public confidence that it is capable of the implementation of reforms needed for a sustainable, secure and resilient water sector, that is prepared to meet the challenges of climate change, ensure operational efficiency, enable good governance and is free from corruption.

SAM lauds the efforts of the previous chairman Chales Santiago in setting the right direction and foundation for reforms to be undertaken, and we deeply regret that his tenure has not been continued.

Given the current concerns and controversy over the appointment of the new chairman, we reiterate our call for the revocation of the appointment of Kadir, and urge the Prime Minister to step in and facilitate the appointment of an independent chairman who has no baggage or connections with the water and sewerage services sector.

Meenakshi Raman
President,
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)

Press Statement, 9 May 2025