GEORGE TOWN: A majority of the factories run by members of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) will close in the first two days of the scheduled water disruption in Penang next week.

       The federation’s Penang chairman Datuk Seri Lee Teong Li said factories that utilise a large amount of water in their operations - such as those producing food, chemicals, metal fabrications, polishing and plating - are unable to open.

       "From our survey, most of the water storage at our (members’) factories is meant for toilet- and canteen use, and that too can only last for a day or two.

       "Those that have huge water tanks, the water can only last up to a day the max," he said on Thursday (Jan 4).

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       Lee said FMM Penang has around 500 members.

       He estimated the losses involved in the four days of water disruption from Jan 10 to 14 to reach millions of ringgit.

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       Almost 600,000 consumers will be affected by the scheduled water cut.

       The supply disruption is meant to allow for valve replacement work at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant and repair work at several locations along the main pipeline.

       Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had said that the work to replace the two major pipes is challenging and he hoped the public would understand the long-term need to do so.