Majority of 500 Penang FMM members to stop work for 2 days

 

Penang FMM said 75% of its member factories did not have two days’ backup water supply for manufacturing purposes. (Wikipedia pic)

GEORGE TOWN: A large number of the 500-odd factories under the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) in Penang will halt operations for two days from Jan 10 due to the upcoming water cuts.

Penang FMM chairman Lee Tiong Li said these factories had to close as they rely on using large amounts of water in their manufacturing, such as food processing, polishing and metal fabrication, among others.

“(Penang FMM) has asked our member (factories) to be on standby mode on Jan 12. They can resume their operations when water supply is restored,” he said.

Lee said a survey found that 75% of these factories did not have two days’ backup water supply for manufacturing purposes, though they did have reserves for essential use.

He estimated that the scheduled water disruption would lead to millions of ringgit in losses for these firms.

“To make up for these losses, some of them (member factories) will be working overtime this weekend ahead of the water disruption and the weekend after the water supply resumes.

“But then, we have to pay additional costs (in overtime pay), which is also a loss to us.”

Lee also denied reports by the Chinese media that “thousands of factories” under FMM would have to shutter operations temporarily, saying Penang FMM only had about 500 member factories in the state.

“The Chinese press exaggerated it (by saying) thousands of factories (under FMM will close down). This caused a huge brouhaha.”

Penang’s largest scheduled water cut from Jan 10 will affect around 590,000 water users in the state. This is to allow for long-delayed valve replacement work at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant and repair work at several locations along the main pipeline.

Water supply is expected to resume within 48 hours in areas closest to the treatment plant, while supply in other areas may be restored 72 to 96 hours later.

The areas affected by the disruption include a majority of Seberang Perai. On the island, the affected areas are Pulau Tikus, George Town, Jelutong, Gelugor, Bukit Jambul, Relau, Bayan Lepas, Bayan Baru, Batu Maung, Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau.

Air Itam, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang will not be affected as these areas get water supply from the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams. - FMT