Unlikely for water transfer scheme to start in 2024, says Perak MB

Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad said the state government must first receive the federal government’s allocation to build the water treatment plant in Kerian. (Bernama pic)

IPOH: It is unlikely for the Sungai Perak raw water transfer scheme to Penang to be implemented this year, says Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad.

He said the allocation from the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry to build the water treatment plant in Kerian, Perak, must be received first, while other pending issues on the supply of treated water to Penang need to be ironed out.

Saarani said the Perak government met with the ministry to discuss the project in November last year.

“There can be no agreement if the allocation isn’t approved. Once the ministry makes its decision, we can implement the scheme. If it was up to us, the faster the better, but it depends on the ministry,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the 2024 Perak civil servants assembly organised by Cuepacs, here, today.

On Penang’s request for 700 million litres of water per day, Saarani said it was dependent on sufficient domestic supply.

“The sale of treated water is also subject to the agreement,” he said.

Yesterday, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state would be signing a memorandum of understanding or financing agreement with Perak on the water transfer scheme this year.

The scheme is part of the Penang Water Contingency Plan 2030, involving an expenditure of RM1.18 billion over the next several years by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to increase the state’s water supply to 602 million litres a day. - FMT