Resignations Not Enough Green Group Says On Appointment Of Span Boss

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 SAM says the likelihood or perception of the potential for a conflict of interest remains despite Abdul Kadir Din’s resignations from private water and waste management-related firms.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: An environmental group is insisting that Abdul Kadir Din’s appointment as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) be revoked despite him resigning from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said Kadir’s resignation from these posts “does not provide sufficient comfort and assurance”.
“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,” SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a statement.
She said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry.
“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.”
Yesterday, the energy transition and water transformation ministry confirmed that Kadir had resigned from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest.
It said that resigning from these posts was mandatory for appointment to the position.
The ministry said Kadir had also stepped down “several years ago” as adviser to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which provides water supply services and operates water and wastewater treatment plants, among others.
The ministry said each member of the commission, including the chairman, was subject to a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, and that Kadir had no authority to make executive decisions unilaterally.
It was responding to Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who had raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following Kadir’s appointment.
Kadir was appointed as SPAN chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago whose two-year term had come to an end. - FMT

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