THE state government maintains a strong relationship with the Federal government, both of which are committed to ensuring that Penang’s water supply meets the long-term needs of the state.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari (PH-Tanjong Bunga) said this during the State Legislative Assembly session at the State Assembly Building in Light Street today.
According to Zairil, the state regularly holds engagement sessions with the Federal government to ensure that applications for water supply development projects are submitted to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) to prioritise these projects for funding under the Malaysia Plan.
“As of today, the Federal government, through PETRA, has allocated approximately RM1 billion to Penang for the development of the Mengkuang Dam Expansion Project and other water supply projects.
“This funding aims to ensure a sufficient water supply to meet the growing demand for water in Penang,” Zairil said in response to an oral question by Gooi Hsiao Leung (PH-Bukit Tengah).
Responding to a supplementary question from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk), Zairil said that the proposed Ulu Muda Basin Authority (UMBA) is being examined by the Federal government.
“Success of this initiative requires cooperation from all three states involved, namely, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis.
“All related parties and relevant stakeholders must come together to discuss the management and conservation of the Ulu Muda Basin, which is a vital water source for the northern region,” Zairil said.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PN–Sungai Dua) brought up the matter of Penang paying Kedah for the water supply.
Muhammad Fauzi suggested that similar to how Singapore pays Johor for water supply and Selangor pays Pahang for water sources, Penang could consider paying Kedah for raw water usage.
“Singapore pays Johor for water taken from there, and Selangor pays Pahang for water from Pahang. In Penang, however, the water supply comes from rivers within the state, so the issue of charges does not arise here.
“However, the state government is prepared to contribute to the establishment of the Ulu Muda Basin Authority (UMBA) to support the conservation of the Ulu Muda Basin.
“The involvement and contributions of the other two states (Kedah and Perlis) are equally essential for the success of the initiative,” he added.
In 2021, the Penang government and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) proposed the setting up of a Ulu Muda Basin Authority (UMBA) to manage Ulu Muda as the most important water basin in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).
Earlier, in answering Gooi’s supplementary question, Zairil said the state government is willing to work with other states to ensure a reliable water supply for its residents if needed.
Zairil shared updates on several ongoing projects to ensure water sustainability, including the upgrading of the Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant, which will add 10 MLD (million litres per day) to the water supply.
Another ongoing project is the Compact Water Treatment Plant at Sungai Kerian with 6.4 MLD capacity.
It is learned that Penang previously purchased treated water from Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (SADA) in Lubuk Buntar, but the supply was stopped by SADA in 2020 due to a water shortage for its own residents.
Zairil also noted that the Federal government had played a key role in helping secure Penang’s water supply through collaboration with Perak, specifically regarding the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP).
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat