ALOR GAJAH: Holiday resort operators here are appealing to the Melaka government to reconsider its decision to implement water rationing on weekends,fearing that it could lead to a catastrophic drop in business.
The “no water weekend” marks the second phase of the state government’s water rationing to tackle the severe drought, which has plagued the state since early this month.
Checks by the New Straits Times Press at resorts along Tanjung Bidara to Kuala Linggi near here showed that a majority of resort operators were against the idea.
They are appealing to Syarikat Air Melaka Bhd (SAMB) to continue water supply on Sunday and Saturday, arguing that a majority of tourists usually checked in on Friday evening and thus, required water supply throughout the weekend.
A beach resort operator, who wished to be known only as Wan, is appealing to the state government to reconsider its move, seeing that weekends are when most tourists from Johor and Kuala Lumpur come to Melaka.
Wan, who is in his 40s, said Johor tourists usually checked in on Friday and left the following day, while Kuala Lumpur tourists checked in on Saturday before leaving on Sunday.
“Yesterday, I had to spend RM4,000 to buy three 600-litre water tanks following the state government’s announcement that the second phase of water rationing would begin tomorrow (today). Each tank costs around RM700.
“This doesn’t include the automatic pumps and pipes for 15 chalets, as well as the cost of installing them.”
On Friday, Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the second phase of water rationing, beginning today until Feb 29, would involve industrial areas and resort.
These areas were exempted from rationing in the first phase, which began on Jan 29. Hospitals and clinics, however, are exempted from the move.
SAMB yesterday said the industrial areas affected were Ayer Keroh, Batu Berendam, Bukit Rambai, Melaka International Trade Centre, Krubong, Cheng Technology Park, Tangga Batu, Zarina and Serkam.
“Domestic consumers around the industrial areas will experience water supply rationing,” it said on its Facebook account.
SAMB said tourist destinations affected by the exercise included premises in Jalan Bendahara, Jonker Walk, Jalan Taming Sari and Pulau Melaka, as well as the Stadthuys building.
More than 37 hotels, 11 shopping malls and four private hospitals around the city here will be involved in the exercise.
The state began water rationing on Jan 29, affecting 550,673 people, or 62.8 per cent of the population, to ensure there was sufficient water supply throughout the dry spell, which is expected to end next month.