IPOH: The water deal with the Penang government cannot be conducted this year as there are various processes to get through first, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).
The Perak Mentri Besar said the process involved getting an allocation from the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry to construct the water treatment plant in Kerian.
He said the agreement can only be concluded with the approval of the allocation.
“Only once there is a conclusion from the ministry can an agreement be made.
“This also depends on the effectiveness and efforts from both the state governments to convince the ministry to approve the allocation to construct the treatment plant,” he told reporters after launching a gathering and seminar for civil servants at the state secretariat’s banquet hall on Wednesday (Jan 3).
He was asked to comment on Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s statement that the deal with the Perak government must be expedited to ensure Penang’s long-term security.
Chow said that the water treatment plants could be built anywhere, provided raw water supplies exist.
He had also said that if the project could be inked or an agreement could be made within this one year, it would be a significant breakthrough, as Penang has been wanting to get water from its neighbour.
Last year, Saarani confirmed that the state government had agreed to sell treated water to Penang following an agreement between the state secretaries.
The matter was agreed upon before initiating the Ministry's application process to construct a water treatment plant in Kerian.
