Potential water supplier - Star

Aug 31, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI

PERAK is looking into supplying water to Selangor and Penang. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin said the Perak Water Board (LAP) was looking into the matter.

“We have been approached by Penang and we were told that the state may need additional sources of water besides what they are receiving from Kedah,” he said.

He added that the board had already convened a meeting with Penang Water Supply Corporation to discuss the technicalities.

“At this point, we are looking at channelling water from our sources in Kerian to Penang,” Nizar told reporters after launching the board’s Workers Union annual general meeting in Ipoh recently.

Nizar, who is also board chairman, also said the board was targeting to reduce its non-revenue water losses from 30% to 28% by 2010.

He said that currently the board was losing some RM60mil annually to non-revenue water.

“This includes burst pipes, stealing of water and so on.

“We hope the public will be more aware of this problem and report to us if they know of any incidents,” he said.

On a separate matter, Nizar said the board remained one of the few more “open-minded” government agencies in the state.

Recalling his experience during the campaign period of the 12th general election, Nizar said LAP was the only agency that allowed him to enter its premises while he was on his rounds.

“I was turned away from every other government agency simply because I was campaigning under the wrong colour.

“Only the LAP office in Manjung allowed me to greet its staff and even distribute my profile leaflets,” he said, triggering applause and laughter in the audience.

Nizar urged all LAP staff to continue their open-mindedness and not to fall into the “slave-master” system with its management staff.

“The management must also always be respectful of its staff.

“After all, all of you have been blessed with the privilege of managing the God-given gift of water.

“This is a noble duty that you are holding by handling one of the vital elements of life, so make sure that you do not misuse it,” he said.