KUALA LUMPUR – With the state’s water woes threatening to drag on, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has resorted to berating the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) over the disruptions.
In a video, Lim was seen expressively addressing his concerns to PBAPP’s chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan in what appears to be a town hall session in an auditorium.
The former chief minister reminded PBAPP that supplying water was the government’s duty, adding that the solution of storing water at home was not optimal.
“Our place is so small, we do not have any place to store water.
“It is (also) our responsibility to give water. Don’t say it is the people’s responsibility, it is the government’s.
“If possible, we should ensure that the people do not wait for water – let water wait for the people.”
Lim also urged the water supply company to exhaust all methods and avoid being stingy to rent more water tankers, as he said the current ones allocated for the state are insufficient.
“I hope, for the time being, we can rent numerous water tankers, this is very crucial. If possible, give more to critical areas (here). Rent more water tankers, get more containers, (you) can get them from outside the state.
“I think you need to spend money, don’t talk about saving money. (It is) now about the people.”
When asked about Lim’s comments, PBAPP’s corporate communications department referred Scoop to a statement it issued earlier today.
The statement said PBAPP will coordinate the mobilisation of 99 water tankers during the water supply disruption scheduled from January 10 to 14.
A total of 27 rented “jumbo tankers” with a capacity of up to 40,000 litres are part of the largest group of tankers to be used in the history of Penang.
Penang Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) chairman Datuk Seri Lee Teong Li had said the majority of its 550 members will close their factories during the scheduled disruption.
Around 590,000 accounts, including non-domestic consumers in Penang, will be facing a scheduled water disruption for 96 hours, from 6am on January 10 until 6am on January 14.
This is to facilitate the replacement of two valve units at the Sg Dua water treatment plant and auxiliary works at 22 locations in Penang.
The state has also been facing unscheduled water supply disruptions since the last week of the year, leading to many angry residents taking to social media to vent their frustrations. – January 6, 2024