KUALA LUMPUR – MCA has panned the Penang government for being “lackadaisical” in making alternative arrangements for the four-day water supply disruption next month which will impact the state’s economy.
MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the disruption, scheduled for January 10 to 14, would force thousands of factories and hotels in the state to limit their operations.
Blaming Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Tan said the state’s Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) chapter had called for a meeting regarding the issue, but their request had fallen on deaf ears.
“The state government’s response to this situation is notably lackadaisical.
“Does (Chow) not fully grasp the potential immeasurable losses that could result from the closure of thousands of factories?
“Our country is on the path to economic recovery, (and) the state government’s indifference to the disruption caused by factory closures is reminiscent of (its) failure to present any viable solutions proactively,” Tan said in a statement today.
He added that most factories in the state have a water storage capacity of 48 hours to sustain operations, while hotels’ water reserves generally last for three days.
This makes the scheduled 96-hour water supply disruption “exceptionally problematic” and burdensome for the industries, he said.
“Penang’s most crucial economic pillars, manufacturing and tourism, cannot withstand such a blow,” he said, adding hoteliers in the state are expected to see a 20% drop in daily revenue.
Tan also said Penang Water Supply Corporation had a flawed maintenance strategy, urging the agency to consult with international experts for alternative measures.
The water disruption next month is due to urgent water works at the Sg Dua water treatment plant, and will affect about 590,000 consumers on Penang Island and Seberang Prai.
To avoid water supply shortages, Penangites have begun preparations to ensure they have sufficient water for the disruption period.
Tan said the state government’s lack of alternatives showed that it was unaware of people’s concerns, despite the state suffering from water supply issues throughout December. Penangites have experienced other water cuts this month, notably on December 19 and 21, ahead of the scheduled disruption. – December 29, 2023