Penang denies punishing Sungai Bakap folk over water supply

June 13, 2024

Penang denies punishing Sungai Bakap folk over water supply

GEORGE TOWN: Penang has denied accusations of favouritism in addressing the state’s water woes, contrary to claims by an opposition leader.

State infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari also rubbished allegations that the DAP-led administration’s actions were racially motivated.

“I am shocked to hear such a statement from a menteri besar,” Zairil told FMT, referring to Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor.

“The Penang government categorically denies that there is any racial motive in the distribution of water.”

Launching Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) by-election machinery for Sungai Bakap on Saturday, Sanusi, who is also the PN election director, said the water woes faced by Sungai Bakap remained unresolved because of alleged discrimination by the Penang government.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

RCI PBP- Mahathir berisiko digelar “pengkhianat”, dilucut “Tun” dan mungkin kena bayar berbilion ganti rugi.

“Why is there no water in this area (Sungai Bakap), but there is water in Tanjung (George Town)? This is a ‘Tok Lebai’ area,” Sanusi had said, using a label given to PAS supporters.

“The people here have the same skin colour I do. Do you think they care about you? Only these kinds of areas have (water) issues. Sixty percent of residents here are like me, that is why there are issues.”

Zairil said the water issues in the Seberang Perai South areas over the past few years had been due to a sudden increase in demand.

He said the issues had been addressed through various measures by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), which had implemented four mitigation projects including raising the capacity of the Bukit Panchor water treatment plant and installing new pump tanks in Taman Widuri.

He also said the affected areas in Mukim 5, Sungai Bakap, were home to all races.

“It is beyond belief that the menteri besar chooses to play racial politics on the issue of water. It is irresponsible of him to even suggest that,” he said.

Residents of Sungai Bakap have faced severe water disruptions, with some areas experiencing low pressure or no water at all from 6pm to midnight almost daily. Water disruptions have lasted up to 18 hours a day during festive seasons.

Many residents, such as those in Taman Seruling Emas, continue to face persistent issues. PBAPP announced projects worth RM25 million last year to address the problem, but residents report no significant improvement.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently announced that Perak would supply water to Penang to help alleviate the shortage. The new source is expected to benefit the Seberang Perai South district, including Sungai Bakap, by providing a more stable water supply.