GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, and the Perak government under Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, had agreed to provide water supply to Penang.
Announcing the good news at the closing of the northern region Madani Rakyat 2024 programme here today, Anwar said the water supply would flow through the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park to Seberang Prai.
"Under the first phase, water supply will reach Seberang Prai, including Nibong Tebal and Sungai Bakap.
"There have been concerns of water supply issues, especially in Nibong Tebal.
"This initiative, which started under Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's predecessor, continues until now.
"And we have received good news that Sultan Nazrin Shah and Saarani have agreed to provide water supply to Penang," he said.
Anwar, however, did not provide further details.
Last week, Chow said Penang was still awaiting Perak's response on the Sungai Perak water transfer scheme.
He said Perak would need to submit its application to start or be ready to start with the project as soon as possible.
In November last year, the Perak government agreed to sell treated water to Penang following a unanimous agreement between the state secretaries.
Saarani, who confirmed this, said a joint committee was set up between the two state governments to pursue cropped-up matters.
It was reported previously that the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS), part of the Penang Water Supply Initiative 2050 (PWSI 2050) to mitigate Penang's raw water risks until 2030, was proposed following an independent masterplan study commissioned by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) in 2009.
According to PBAPP, Sungai Perak is the best option as its raw water resource is presently underutilised.
As such, the Penang government and PBAPP had sought to tap Sungai Perak as the second or alternative raw water resource for the state since 2011.
Meanwhile, Anwar said he believed that with good cooperation with Kedah in recent times, Penang could continue to hold talks with Kedah for water supply.
"Each development should not be seen in silo as it will benefit one another.
"Just like the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah, it does not only benefit the state but neighbouring states as well.
"Similarly, other projects in Selangor and Johor will also benefit neighbouring states," he said.
Penang is currently dependent on Sungai Muda for raw water supply.
Penang gets 80 per cent of its water from Sungai Muda.
Present at the northern region Madani Rakyat 2024 programme was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Others included Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
Also present were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.