THE Dewan Rakyat today passed a bill to amend the National Water Services Commission Act 2006, which sought to streamline governance and strengthen the integrity of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

Deputy Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Huang Tiong Sii said after more than 16 years of the implementation of the act, several areas for improvement have been identified to ensure it remained relevant.

“This includes strengthening the governance of SPAN so it can be run more efficiently, and increasing its regulatory capacity so it can pursue more effective enforcement.

“In line with global and national initiatives in realising sustainable development, new policies based on a circular economy, consumption efficiency, consumer protection, and public and private involvement have been introduced,” Huang said when tabling the bill for a second reading.

The bill also sought to reduce the tenure of a member of the commission from 10 years to six years.

The sitting continues tomorrow for the tabling of Budget 2024 by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama, October 12, 2023.