KUALA LUMPUR – The five-day water disruption in Penang in January resulted in an estimated loss of RM10 million, according to Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The losses involved those in the economic, tourism, education, and social sectors, following a state-wide water supply disruption from January 10 to 14.
According to the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), this loss happened because of the water works at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Fadillah said in a written parliamentary reply to Siti Mastura Muhammad (Kepala Batas-PN).
The WTP that treated 1,228 million litres of water had to be shut down for maintenance works, which affected more than 500,000 residents in Penang.
Fadillah, who is also deputy prime minister, said PBAPP had taken proactive steps with the help of other state water operators to supply water through truck tankers and static tanks for affected users during the five days.
Previously, some 200,000 water consumers in Penang’s southwest districts and some areas in Seberang Perai were affected by an unscheduled water disruption due to a burst pipe at Sg Perai from December 19 to 21 last year.
Following that, in the same month, PBAPP announced water cuts due to repairs at Sg Dua and 22 other locations, where the other parts along the main pipeline have not been replaced for 50 years.
Penang Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) chairman Datuk Seri Lee Teong Li had said some factories in the state had to shut down operations for at least two days, which affected their business.
“There are factories that can make a profit of RM100,000 a day, while big factories make millions. There are FMM members who said that due to the closure, they expected to lose up to RM10 million.” – March 28, 2024