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Free Malaysia Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Resignations not enough, green group says on appointment of SPAN boss
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.
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
New SPAN chairman resigned from relevant posts at private firms, says govt
Abdul Kadir Din was appointed as the new National Water Services Commission chairman effective May 5. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The government today confirmed that Abdul Kadir Din, who was recently appointed as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), resigned from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest. The energy transition and water transformation ministry said that resigning from these posts was mandatory for appointment to the position. It also said that Kadir had stepped down 'several years ago' as adviser to Ranhilll Holdings Bhd, which provides water supply services and operates water and wastewater treatment plants, among others. 'One of the key conditions for appointment was that the candidate must resign from any position that could give rise to a conflict of interest. 'Based on our review, he has fully complied, and a copy of his resignation letter was submitted to the ministry,' it told FMT. Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan had raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following Kadir's appointment. Wan Saiful, the MP for Tasek Gelugor, asked if Kadir had relinquished all other positions that might overlap with his new role. He said that those who hold regulatory posts should not be actively involved in commercial entities operating within the sector they oversee. The ministry however said that each member of the commission, including the chairman, was subject to a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy. 'They are required to declare any potential conflicts and must recuse themselves from related decisions when necessary,' it said. It also noted the non-executive nature of the chairman's role at SPAN, saying Kadir had no authority to make executive decisions unilaterally. It said all major decisions were made as a collective with the other commission members and the CEO, and that proposals on policy must first be reviewed by the ministry. The ministry also defended Kadir's appointment, saying the appointment of those with relevant industry experience was necessary to drive meaningful transformation in the sector. It said appointing the relevant people was an approach consistent with national practices, where technocrats are appointed to strategic positions to contribute their expertise without compromising professional integrity. 'Such appointments are closely monitored by enforcement agencies to prevent any misuse of power and to uphold the highest standards of governance,' it said. Kadir was appointed as the new SPAN chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago whose two-year term had come to an end.
Free Malaysia Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bersatu MP flags potential conflict of interest in new SPAN head's appointment
Yesterday, SPAN announced Abdul Kadir Din's appointment as its new chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan has raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following the appointment of Abdul Kadir Din as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN). Wan Saiful, who is Tasek Gelugor MP, questioned whether Kadir had relinquished any other position that might overlap with his new role. He said that anyone holding a regulatory post should not be actively involved in commercial entities operating within the sector they oversee. 'This is a basic ethical principle to ensure good governance and to prevent collusion, corruption and cronyism. Wan Saiful Wan Jan. 'The government must urgently clarify whether Kadir has stepped down from all conflicting roles before assuming his duties as SPAN chairman,' the Bersatu Supreme Council member said in a statement. Yesterday, SPAN announced Kadir's appointment as its new chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago, whose two-year term had ended. The media had reported that Kadir was the managing director of waste management company Sacra Sol Sdn Bhd. He is also said to be an adviser to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which is linked to Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd, the company managing water services in Johor. 'Is the government unbothered by the risk of conflict of interest when the SPAN chairman is also actively involved in companies operating commercially in the very sector regulated by SPAN?' Wan Saiful asked. Kadir brings 36 years of experience in the water and sewerage industry. He previously served as CEO of Indah Water Konsortium from 2009 to 2016 and as chief operating officer of Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd from 2007 to 2009. He is also a former president of the Malaysian Water Association and has been involved in various national and international water-related organisations. FMT has reached out to the energy transition and water transformation ministry for comment.
Free Malaysia Today
06-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Santiago urges successor at SPAN to maintain momentum
Charles Santiago has been replaced as SPAN chairman after two years at the helm. PETALING JAYA : Charles Santiago has called on his successor at the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) to carry forward the momentum that has reshaped Malaysia's water sector over the past two years. SPAN today announced that former Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd CEO Abdul Kadir Din had been appointed to chair the water regulator effective yesterday, replacing Santiago. When contacted by FMT, Santiago said his two-year term at SPAN had ended. Santiago previously held the post from November 2018 to April 2020 when Pakatan Harapan was in government. Under Santiago's leadership from 2023 to 2025, SPAN launched an ambitious reform programme focussing on decarbonisation, operational efficiency, governance and anti-corruption efforts. Santiago said these efforts had laid a strong foundation for a resilient water sector that is prepared to meet the challenges of climate change and water scarcity. 'Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the looming threat of water scarcity, it is imperative to continue these initiatives to mitigate a potential water crisis in Malaysia,' he said in a statement. Santiago said among SPAN's key achievements during his tenure were the introduction of an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework for water and wastewater operators, the adoption of low-carbon operating systems, and the formation of joint working teams with state water companies like Syarikat Air Perlis. Notably, the pilot project in Perlis is expected to save RM7 million annually by reducing non-revenue water (NRW) — a success Santiago hopes will be replicated nationwide. Santiago said SPAN had also ramped up integrity and anti-corruption programmes, introduced ISO 9000 standards to improve internal efficiency, and launched a nationwide water conservation campaign in late 2024. Looking ahead, Santiago highlighted the importance of building an ecosystem for startups in the water sector, strengthening financial management and governance among operators, and deepening collaborations with international partners such as Singapore's national water agency (Public Utilities Board) and the World Bank. Santiago, a former three-term MP for Klang, said these partnerships should focus on areas such as NRW reduction, technology adoption, financial management, governance and integrity. 'The momentum built over the past two years must be maintained to realise SPAN's full potential,' he said. SPAN is an independent regulatory body for water supply and sewerage services in the peninsula as well as Labuan.
