Syabas Bodoh

The water pressure has been low since Monday evening. I have been bathing in cold water from the water tank for the past 2 days. When I turned on the tap to wash the rice just now, nothing flowed out. Not even a drop. I had to wash the rice in the bathroom and cooked with water from the tank.

There is no announcement in the Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Berhad (SYABAS) website. I called the toll-free number (1 800 88 5252) several times and waited in futility for more than 20 minutes to speak to a customer service executive each time, only to be informed repeatedly by the automated voice answering system that all the executives are busy.

I can accept if water supply is disrupted by a burst pipe or upgrading works provided it is announced in the website or through recorded message when customers call the toll-free line. I can accept if water supply is cut if prior notice is given for me to store water for essential usage.

As I was typing this, I finally got through to the customer service executive who gave me a very generic reply that the water level in the reservoir is low, that she does not know when normal water supply will be resumed and that a water tanker will be sent to this area today. When I asked when and where the water tanker will be deployed, she said she does not know.

I need clean water to wash my catheter after emptying my bladder. This I need to do at least 5 times a day. I run the risk of urinary tract infections or further damage to my kidneys if I skip this routine due to the inability to clean the catheter. I can live without electricity but I certainly cannot survive one day without water. I need a contingency plan just in case this crisis drags on for a few more days.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

6 thoughts on “Syabas Bodoh”

  1. I’m staying at Pandan Height, facing the same problem exactly. I heard that there is no water supply for 4 days. This area often has this problem at least twice a year.

    Peter:
    This is a real inconvenience and I blame SYABAS solely for putting us through it. This has been happening for the past few years and they should have foreseen it and make plans to prevent it from recurring.

  2. GOD Damn it SYABAS!!!I feel very pity to those who are facing this water disruption thingy and oso to u Peter. I have called SYABAS 6 times since Wednesday and they came up with all type of excuses and reasons.Takes them ages to get my call though, wasting my mobile credit wen i called them since i dont’t have a fixed line at home. I did ask them about when can they supply the water back and they juz asked me to wait. I m really pissed off. It will be 7 days without water if this continues till tomoro. Is SYABAS going to make HISTORY???If YES, i m going to help them make one.

    Peter:
    This crisis is getting serious. I hope nobody’s health is affected by this. We should make SYABAS pay for this.

  3. It’s affecting Taman Cheras now. I live in a condominium and this happened last night as the water reserve has ran out. It has caught everyone by surprise. No notice given to us and nobody has done any preparation to face this water disruption.
    Spoke to Syabas this morning twice, both of them did not have a clue on when this can be resolved (answer: pipeburst but don’t know where). And about the notice, they said they will put up today (TODAY?!?!)… well, the notice will work as FYI because nothing can be done anymore besides waiting for the Syabas tank to come every day (again, don’t know when).

    Understand from them that the issue in Pandan Perdana has been resolved, true?

    Peter:
    8.03pm, May 12, 2008 – Not a drop of water from the tap.

  4. Dear All,

    We stay in Ketumbar Height Cheras. We dont have water for the pass 4 days now. Notice was not given to us. I called Syabas customer service approximately 6 times in day . as early as 6am. What else can we do. We here are waiting for the mercy of syabas technical department efficientness. If only I can gather everybody to sign a petition and sue syabas for the uncomfortable days for us all. Surprisingly, the other landed property surrounding us happily washing their cars, drain. What else can we do as a customer.

    Peter:
    Perhaps all affected parties should come together and sue SYABAS. One week of continuous water disruption is just too much. If we are late in payment, they “potong bekalan.” Likewise we should make them compensate us if supply is disrupted not due to consumers’ fault. Any takers?

  5. yes…I will without a doubt sign the petition or do whatever it is suggested..but it is only when they can be sued so easily…sighs…seriously, the other time when i called, they said that they are replacing the pipes…and it made me wonder how many times in a year that they have to do just that?!

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