Penang Harapan backbenchers want PAC to probe state's water crisis

 

Penang Pakatan Harapan backbenchers have called on the state's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate the recent water crisis.

This came after the state was hit with water supply issues last Wednesday to Sunday.

“The water shortage has disrupted supply throughout the state causing many residents to be without water.

“The lack of water supply affected residents domestically, commercially and industrially, even public institutions such as hospitals were not spared.

“Hospitals were forced to rely on water supply from the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) tankers, volunteer firefighters, Penang Island City Council, and Seberang Perai City Council,” the Harapan backbenchers said in a statement today.

The water shortage was said to have been caused by the flash floods in Baling, Kedah, and has led to murky waters in Sungai Muda.

“Even though the cause of the water shortage is allegedly from the floods in Baling, the question on the rakyat’s lips is the readiness of the PBAPP for an issue like this.

“Even though a crisis like a flash flood can’t be expected, should the PBAPP not be more prepared to face such situations?” they added.

They pointed out that PBAPP’s lack of response during this crisis was also not helpful for the rakyat.

“Why was there a mismatch between PBAPP’s response about the time the water supply would return and the time it actually resumed?

“A lot of the areas did not get their water supply back by the time PBAPP promised, causing a lot of confusion and difficulty for residents,” they said.

The Harapan members urged the PAC to act and conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that this does not recur.

“The PAC must investigate this crisis, as well as the preparedness of the PBAPP to face a crisis like this,” they said, adding that they will write to the Penang PAC president to call for a meeting on the matter. - Mkini