THE Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry is considering proposals from the private sector to address the proposed Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the ministry received proposals which suggested private finance initiative (PFI).
“We hope to achieve a win-win situation. The ministry has responded positively and has held discussions with Penang and Perak to look into how the SPRWTS project can be funded.
“We hope that the negotiation can be hastened.
“We look forward to the completion of the first phase by 2025,” Chow told a press conference after attending the Water Security Conference at St Giles Wembley Hotel in Magazine Road today.
Chow said that the SPRWTS project would involve building a water tunnel from Sungai Perak to Sungai Ijok in northern Perak.
“Water from Sungai Perak will be diverted upstream through a water tunnel to Sungai Ijok, and Sungai Ijok flows downstream into Sungai Kerian.
“We will extract water from Sungai Kerian and build a water treatment plant on our side of the Penang border to supply water to Penang consumers.
“However, Perak is more interested in selling treated water to Penang which will be more expensive compared to raw water. The negotiation is to find a solution to bridge the wishes of the two states,” Chow added.
Chow said the SPRWTS project would not be adversely affecting the agricultural interest of northern Perak.
“In fact, it would benefit the consumers and industries in northern Perak.
“The SPRWTS project is a sustainable water supply alternative. The raw water supply in Sungai Perak has not been utilised up to the optimum level,” he said, adding that northern Perak had also suffered from water rationing.
Chow also stressed importance of protecting the Ulu Muda water catchment area.
In his speech, Chow said water plays a big role in ensuring liveability and a resilience-built environment for the state.
“In our vision, Penang2030: A Family-focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation, I have imagined a state that is liveable, economically prosperous with active civic participation, and a resilience-built environment where no one or family is left behind.
“I expect collaborations between various parties, where everyone is the actor and contributor,” Chow said.
Deputy Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, who represented the Minister, said the proposed National Water Resource Bill by the ministry was expected to strengthen water resources management in Malaysia.
“The Bill aims to establish a more sustainable, effective and efficient water resources management.
“The ministry feels that it is essential to come up with a uniform and comprehensive water resources law since the states in Malaysia have their own laws on water resources, which varies between states in terms of contents.
“Currently, the ministry is consulting the relevant state departments and agencies to explain the Bill further.
“The main concern of the states is that their power over water resources would be reduced or taken over by the Federal Government.
“However, that is not going to happen because the Bill is a model law that needs to be tabled and approved by the State Legislative Assembly before it can come into force.
“It means if the state accepts the Bill, it will still have full control over water resources,” Tengku Zulpuri Shah read out the Minister’s speech text.
The conference was jointly organised by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Penang Institute.
Also present at the conference were Penang Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Kedah executive council member Zamri Yusuf, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseini Maidinsa and ADB urban development and water division director Vijay Padmanabhan.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Alvie Cheng