IPOH: The Perak government wants to ensure that residents in the state get sufficient water supply before it decides to supply water to other states, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
He said Perak would not be able to supply water to Penang if it does not have adequate water of its own.
He added that based on research done by several agencies, it was clear that Perak does not have enough raw water supply for its people and the state industries as well.
“While we sympathise with the situation faced by Penang, we have to put our people first.
“For example, if we are riding a plane and the oxygen masks come out, the flight attendant will ask us to wear the masks first before helping others. The situation is the same with this one,” he said during the state assembly yesterday.
Earlier, Opposition leader Dr Abdul Aziz Bari said the decision not to supply water to its neighbouring state should not be final, adding that if the situation takes a turn for the better, selling water to Penang will be financially beneficial for Perak.
Saarani told Maslin Sham Razman (Umno-Bukit Chandan) that if Perak decides to supply water to Penang in the future, it would affect the livelihood of residents living downstream of Sungai Perak.
“Sungai Perak begins from Hulu Perak and ends at Bagan Datuk.
“Along the river, there are many people who rely on the water supply for agricultural practices as well as other economic activities.
“The Perak Water Board (LAP) and state’s Irrigation and Drainage Department told us that taking the water supply from the river will affect their water treatment plants operations and also supply for the farmers,” he added.
On March 24, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state is prepared to pay its neighbour between 20 sen and 30 sen per 1,000 litres of water as part of its effort to resolve state water shortage issues.
Saarani and Chow had, earlier in March, met to discuss water transfer between the two states.