AN assemblyman at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today has suggested that a new water treatment plant be built near the Mengkuang Dam in Bukit Mertajam to ensure water supply sufficiency.
While debating the motion of thanks to the Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak’s address, Goh Choon Aik (PH – Bukit Tambun) has urged the Penang government, through the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), to consider such a suggestion.
“The water from the new water treatment plant should then be channelled to north and south Seberang Perai districts.
“As we know, some residential areas in south Seberang Perai district are currently facing water shortage issues due to the high-water demand caused by the hot weather and increase in consumers during the festive season.
“With the new water treatment plant, it can minimise and prevent such incidents from happening again in the affected areas. At the same time, we can also reduce our dependence on the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant.
“As we know, the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant supplies about 85% of treated water to the whole Penang.
“And with the new water treatment plant, I am confident that it can help the state to have an adequate water supply and therefore, prevent or minimise any water shortage issue from happening in the future,” he said.
On a separate matter, Goh urged the Federal Government to help the state government by providing a suitable allocation to mitigate the traffic congestion issue in Seberang Perai and on the island.
“The additional allocation from the Federal Government could then be used to upgrade the road infrastructure in Penang and reduce traffic congestion.
“We cannot expect the state government to do everything as it has limited operating expenses.
“This is where the Federal Government should come in, regardless of political differences,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Law Suun Ting