PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to speed up the Perak-Penang water deal to encourage more industries to be set up in both states.
He said the federal government was well aware of the water problems in Penang, especially in industrial areas such as the Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).
“The good news is that efforts to develop the new Kerian hi-tech industrial area will bring spillover benefits (with investment and economic development) to South Seberang Perai, including Sungai Acheh,” Bernama reported him as saying.
“The abundant water supply from Kerian will ‘flow’ to Seberang Perai.”
At present, about 80% of Penang’s raw water is sourced from Kedah’s Sungai Muda.
Penang has been looking to Sungai Perak as an alternative raw water resource to fulfil its needs. After talks began between both states, Perak offered to sell treated water to Penang in November last year.
Anwar had earlier praised the development of BKIP 3, saying it showcased Penang’s great success in the industrial sector.
He said the Penang Development Corporation was an early pioneer in developing industrial zones to boost the country’s economic growth.
“We admit that the surge in industrial progress in Penang has put pressure on the state’s infrastructure in terms of roads, ports and airports,” he said during the BKIP 3 earth-breaking ceremony here today.
BKIP 3 is the 10th industrial park developed by PDC. The project covering 164ha will be developed in four phases at a cost of RM2.2 billion. - FMT
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