Perak needs raw water for own use, inability to supply Penang not politically related, says MB

Photo: Ronnie Chin/The Star

IPOH: Perak's inability to supply raw water to Penang has nothing to do with which party is governing the state, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic, right).

The Perak Mentri Besar said there was insufficient supply for the state itself.

"The issue is not about which party is governing the state – it is about the raw water capacity from rivers.

"If we had a surplus of raw water, then we would have no problems supplying it," he told a press conference after visiting a centralised labour quarters pilot project site here.

He said with Perak becoming an industrialised state, the state would require more water.

"We have plans to set up factories for rubber-based products and these companies require more water.

"We are aware of water shortages experienced by companies in Kamunting and we do not want a problem where we supply water to others and we suffer shortages," he said.

In March, the Perak government decided that water sourced from Sungai Perak was for the state's use only.

"While I sympathise with the problems faced by Penang, the reasons for denying the request are valid.

"The Housing and Population Census Data 2020 showed Perak has 2.5 million people in 2020 and is projected to increase to three million people by 2050 and we need to make sure that the state has sufficient water," he added.