GEORGE TOWN — The DAP-led Penang government should state why it refuses to negotiate with Kedah on buying treated water to resolve longstanding water woes, state opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff said.
Fauzi (Sg Dua-PN) said it would be quicker and cheaper to buy treated water from Kedah than waiting for the Perak-Penang water transfer scheme to be implemented.
“Why does the state government not want to negotiate with the Kedah government to buy treated water from there since it is cheaper, closer and (a) quicker (solution) than waiting to get treated water from Sg Perak water transfer scheme.
“Don’t add to the misery of the rakyat who continue to struggle due to (state’s) failure in managing water supply,” said Fauzi while debating the 2025 supply bill in the Penang legislative assembly today.
In January, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Perak-Penang water transfer scheme could take six to eight years to be completed, as no agreement has been signed, and both states have yet to decide on implementation and financing.
The scheme may see Perak building a water treatment plant to treat water drawn from Sg Perak for Penang’s needs.
Fauzi today said Penang is still “haunted” by water supply disruptions, and the state’s failure to address this problem could debilitate its Penang 2030 vision to improve quality of life and enhance economic growth.
Fauzi, from PAS, also highlighted that Chow himself said previously that investors are hesitant to set up shop in Penang due to the limited supply of water for industrial consumption.
He said buying water from Kedah would quickly resolve water woes especially in Mukim 5 in the southern Seberang Perai district.
Water could be purchased from the Lubok Buntar Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Bandar Baharu, Kedah, Fauzi added.
The opposition lawmaker’s call echoes similar suggestions by Sg Bakap assemblyman Abidin Ismail while campaigning for seat’s by-election on July 6, which he won.
The suggestion was also reported by Scoop on October 3, where longtime residents of Mukim 5 urged the state government to expedite the 5km water pipe project promised during the Sg Bakap by-election campaign.
In late June, during the July 6 by-election campaign, the Penang government announced that the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) would be carrying out water supply projects in the southern Seberang Perai district as part of its Water Contingency Plan 2030.
Among these projects is the installation of a 5km-long pipeline to channel treated water from the Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Jawi directly to Mukim 5. – November 25, 2024