GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has proposed that the school session be postponed following the almost statewide water supply disruption notice issued by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).
Gerakan vice-president Datuk Baljit Singh hoped the Penang government would consider postponing the school session starting from Jan 10 until Jan 14 to ensure that students do not experience difficulties.
He said this was because water is a basic need for Malaysians.
"So, this problem of water disruption affects all the people of Penang, especially school-going children.
"If schools are not postponed, they should at least not hold physical education, sports or extra-curricular activities during the time," he said today.
Baljit said the government and the opposition should work hand-in-hand to ensure that the people's burden is eased at this time and all affected areas receive the necessary water supply assistance.
"All old pipes should be replaced as soon as possible so that the water supply does not suffer any more problems.
"What the people of the state are hoping for is to see the seriousness of the state government and the opposition in solving the people's problems instead of looking for excuses to avoid responsibility and play politics," he added.
It was reported that some 590,000 water consumers in the state, including non-domestic consumers in all key industrial areas, would experience a water supply interruption from Jan 10 to 14.
This will be one of the major planned disruptions in nearly three decades.
The interruption is unavoidable to cater to two major valve replacement works in Sungai Dua, Butterworth. The two 1,200mm valves, which are leaking are within the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and near the WTP fence.
Various ancillary water works projects at 22 other locations throughout the state will also be carried out simultaneously.
Yesterday, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang chapter chairman Datuk Seri Lee Teong Li told the New Straits Times that the majority of its members' factories would cease operations for the first two days of the scheduled water supply disruption.
He said this was based on feedback received from members' factories, including the small-medium enterprises (SME), through a survey.
He said they were left with no choice but to temporarily halt operations as they were highly dependent on water supply for their processes and productions, especially in food production and processing, chemicals industries, plating, metal polishing and others.
He added that while factories had to store water supply for 48 hours, the water supply was only for normal use and not the daily operations.