Perak says no to Penang as it needs water

IPOH: Perak does not have enough raw water supply for its people and industries, the Mentri Besar has revealed.

Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said to make matters worse, several areas in the state were facing a drought.

“A few days ago, a factory in Taiping told us that it had to find 85% of its water needs for its production. The Perak Water Board only supplies 15% of its water. In Kerian district, the water level at Bukit Merah dam is often at a low level.

“We have to resort to cloud seeding to ensure agricultural activities are not affected,” he said after launching the back-to-school programme at the Perak Women Secretariat office building here yesterday.

On Tuesday, Saarani met Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to discuss water transfer between the two states.

He said Chow and his delegation also expressed concern about the raw water supply situation in Penang, which is expected to have a disruption in 2050.

“Penang held a similar meeting with the previous Perak government of Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu. Based on several research studies conducted by the state government and the Environment and Water Ministry, Perak does not have enough water supply.

“While we sympathise with the situation faced by Penang, we barely can afford to supply enough water for the people in our own state,” he added.