GEORGE TOWN: Social media users are riled up after several federal agencies, operating from the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Penang here, temporarily ceased operations following the four-day scheduled water supply disruption.
They took jibes at these agencies, questioning how the water supply cut affected their services when even eateries could open for business despite the disruption.
It is learnt that the matter is caused by a 'miscommunication', from a notice issued on the water supply disruption.
When contacted, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying told the New Straits Times that the Finance Ministry has instructed UTC Penang to resume operations as normal tomorrow.
"I am aware that the partial closure of certain services at UTC Penang has brought about inconvenience to the people.
"We (MOF) have instructed that they resume operations tomorrow," she said.
Meanwhile, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng believed what happened was a result of miscommunication.
Explaining, he said the miscommunication could have stemmed from a notice issued by PDC Urus Setia Sdn Bhd.
"In the first notice issued, it was said that the Komtar building, where the UTC Penang is located, would be affected by the water supply disruption.
"But in an updated notice on Monday (Jan 8), PDC Urus Setia said that the management had successfully secured external water supply to be delivered to Komtar throughout the four-day scheduled water supply disruption from today until Sunday," he added.
The updated notice further said that, with the external water supply, the Komtar air-conditioning system would be operating as per normal.
Teh said some agencies were operating as usual today.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is undertaking the replacement of two leaking control valves, which warranted the shutdown of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
The shutdown resulted in a four-day water supply interruption (SWSI) to some 590,000 water consumers throughout the state.