SHAH ALAM, Sept 10 — Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim today rejected the call for Selangor’s RM9.65 billion water utility takeover to be deferred until a new mentri besar is appointed, insisting the deal with Putrajaya will be finalised within a week.

DAP’s Charles Santiago had on Monday urged the federal government to hold off signing the final agreement for the restructuring, claiming that Khalid lacked the authority to sign off on the agreement after having resigned as MB.

“He has no clue, like he had no clue when he was talking about contaminated water in former tin mining ponds.

“My understanding is that the professional should check their facts first before making statements. If not, then we are not regarded as helping the community and the nation,” Khalid said today, referring to Santiago.

The outgoing MB also accused the Klang MP of “shooting the gun” and not contributing anything of value or importance to the water restructuring deal.

“Now in process of finalising the agreement. I think we are still finalising it, our target is between this week or not later than Monday or Tuesday next week,” Khalid told reporters at a news conference here.

Khalid said on Monday his administration is finalising the wording of the deal, which includes the buy-out of concessionaire Splash.

Pakatan Rakyat’s hope of blocking the deal is rapidly fading as Khalid is almost certain to seal the controversial agreement before the Selangor Sultan decides on his replacement.

Splash remains the only concessionaire to reject the Khalid administration’s buyout offer, which is a part of the state’s water management restructuring programme aimed at providing Selangor folks with cheap water.

Khalid had said in May that Putrajaya will forcibly acquire Splash if the firm continues to refuse Selangor’s offer.

Three other state utility firms — Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, Puncak Niaga Sdn

Bhd and Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd  — have agreed to the state government’s takeover plan.

The agreement with Putrajaya also included Selangor’s approval for the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant, a move rejected by PR leaders.

They claim the high cost of the project would force water price in Selangor up, a claim Khalid dismissed.

The project is among several reasons given by PKR in deciding to replace Khalid with its president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

But Khalid had refused to make way, which led to his eventual sacking.

Khalid has since resigned, but remains in office as a caretaker MB until his successor is chosen.