Water woes: business drying up

KUALA LUMPUR: The water woes in Selangor over the past two months have taken a toll on food stall and restaurant operators in the state as well as in the city.
Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said over 600 members of the association had lodged complaints that their businesses are badly affected by the water crisis.
"Now, we have to spend between RM300 and RM500 a day just to buy clean water, as well as disposable plates and cups," he said today.
He said as restaurant operators, they are badly burdened by the water woes and feel like no one cares about the problems they are facing.
"At some restaurants, toilets had to be closed for up to two days during (rationing).
"When supply is restored, the water is usually murky and yellowish in colour. How can we use this water? The quality of our food will be affected," he said.
Noorul Hassan said the association has asked its members to use disposable plates and cups to minimise the use of water.
He said the crisis also proved that the state government failed to manage the state's water industry, which also affected the state's economic growth and foreign investment.
Meanwhile, Federal Territories Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Ahmad Selamat said the water crisis had affected over 5,000 hawkers and petty traders in the city.
"The water woes have cut at least a quarter of the monthly income of hawkers and petty traders in the city, especially in Wangsa Maju, Cheras, Bandar Tun Razak and Batu.
"I hope this crisis will end soon as these hawkers and petty traders depend solely on the income from their businesses. Don't let the water crisis force them to close shop," he said. – Bernama