Perak to prioritise local water needs before supplying Penang - Exco

IPOH: The Perak state government has assured that the state's domestic, industrial and agricultural water needs will be prioritised before any surplus is supplied to Penang under the Bulk Water Supply Agreement (BWSA).

Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the approach was crucial to ensuring a sustainable water supply in the state, particularly in anticipation of rising demand in the years ahead.

"Whether for domestic consumption, industrial use or padI cultivation, we will prioritise Perak's water needs, with demand estimated at 1,500 million litres per day.

"We will consider supplying water to Penang only if there is a surplus after meeting Perak's domestic, industrial and agricultural requirements," he told Bernama.

He was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement during the tabling of Budget 2027 that the Madani government had facilitated a 40-year BWSA between the Perak and Penang state governments.

The agreement, signed between Khazanah Air Perak Sdn Bhd (KAP) and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), targets the initial delivery of treated water in the first quarter of 2032.

Nizar said the project would also support the development of the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP), which is emerging as a key destination for new investments, particularly in the digital sector.

"KIGIP is benefiting from the spillover of the digital industry from Penang. The assurance of a reliable water supply will give investors greater confidence to establish and expand their businesses in Perak," he said.

He added that a stable water supply would also help address supply disruptions in the Kamunting industrial area and at Tasik Bukit Merah in Kerian, an important water source for agricultural and domestic use.

The large-scale project would also generate additional revenue for KAP, create job opportunities and enable more systematic management of water levels at Tasik Bukit Merah, he said.

"Local communities, particularly padifarmers and inland fishermen around Tasik Bukit Merah, will also benefit from better management of the lake's water levels, which could help reduce the risk of drought," he said.