IPOH: It is not wrong for the Perak government to not sell raw water to Penang, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said in principle, Perak wants to give priority to its people first.
"If there is any excess based on its projections of what it can supply for five to 10 years, Perak needs to do a study and make a decision,” said Anwar.
Speaking at a press conference after opening the World Water Day celebration here on Saturday (March 11), Anwar said that discussions between both states were ongoing.
It had been reported that the Penang government has sent another letter to the Perak Menteri Besar to renegotiate a revival of the raw water transfer deal.
Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari reportedly said that a study by the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry found that Sungai Perak would be able to provide for those living in upper Perak and Penang at the same time.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad had said in December 2022 that the state is unable to supply raw water to Penang, as the current supply is insufficient.
Separately, Anwar maintained that people cannot withdraw money from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) but added that they could use the money in their Account 2 as collateral for bank loans.
He said most people were already working following the Covid-19 pandemic and they cannot withdraw money from the EPF.
