Penang to table raw water management bill this month, says Chow
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will table a bill on raw water resource management at the upcoming state Legislative Assembly sitting scheduled for this month, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said the bill will form the foundation for a new water management enactment aimed at strengthening governance and regulatory control over raw water resources in the state.
He said under the enactment, a board will be established and granted full authority, including enforcement powers, issuing licences and permits, and approving applications related to water abstraction activities according to set conditions.
"Currently, the Penang Water Regulatory Division (BKSA) only performs limited functions related to raw water management and does not have enforcement or prosecutorial powers.
"Therefore, we believe it is time for Penang to have a dedicated enactment for raw water management. The board will take over BKSA's responsibilities and be granted legal authority to act against any violations under the proposed enactment," he told reporters after officiating at the World Water Day celebration at the Air Itam Dam here Saturday (May 3).
Chow said the establishment of the board is expected to ensure a more sustainable, efficient and legally grounded raw water management system for the future of Penang.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari had earlier announced that the Penang state executive council had, in principle, approved the proposal to upgrade BKSA to the Penang Water Resources Board on Sept 25, 2024.
On a related matter, Chow said the state government is still awaiting a letter from the Perak government to initiate negotiations on the Perak-Penang Water Project.
He said the state also noted that a joint venture company between the Perak State Development Corporation and Gamuda has been formed to implement the project on the Perak side.
"We are now just waiting to begin negotiations (with Perak) on the tariff, volume of water to be channelled to Penang, terms, duration of the concession, and so on. That (letter) is what we are waiting for to enable both states to begin discussions,' he said.
On March 14, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said planning for the project to channel raw water from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam - partly to support the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park and supply treated water to Penang - is now in its final stages. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysiakini
5 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Penang CM agrees to review Indian Muslim housing discount, Sim says
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will review the state government's offer of a five percent housing and commercial property discount to Indian Muslims under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign (MOC). In a statement today, Penang DAP chief Steven Sim said he discussed the issue with Chow, who agreed to discuss the matter in the state executive council meeting. He explained that the initiative was to...
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Penang CM instructs review of 5% housing discount
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has instructed state housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the 5% housing discount for first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he has instructed Sundarajoo to review the policy with developers to expand the discount to all buyers, making it more inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society in line with the principle of social justice. "Some of the views received suggested that such a discount should also be offered to all buyers to revitalise the property sector, especially in relation to the sale of unsold property units," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 8). Chow stated that the state executive council will also examine the matter and make an appropriate decision in the interest of all parties. On Thursday (June 5), Sundarajoo announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer IndianMuslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign. He added that the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. However, Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim, in a statement on Saturday (June 7), announced that Chow had agreed to suspend the discount offer pending a review by the state executive council, emphasising the importance of upholding social justice and ensuring every Malaysian's right to own a home. The initial policy announced by the state government earlier had been critised by MCA who described the move as racially divisive. State MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah questioned why the Penang government could not base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion, expressing confusion that DAP, a party advocating for a 'Malaysian Malaysia', would introduce such a racially framed initiative. "The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said. He also said by offering the privilege only to Indian Muslims, Yeoh questioned whether it amounted to a new form of racial quota. 'Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background?' he added.
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Penang to reassess Indian Muslim housing discount, considers extending offer to all buyers, says CM
GEORGE TOWN, June 8 — The Penang state executive council (MMK) will review the five per cent discount offer for first-time homebuyers from the Indian Muslim community in Penang and make an appropriate decision for the benefit of all parties. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he has directed State Housing and Environment Committee chairman, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, to refine the policy with developers to extend the discount to all buyers. He said this is to ensure the policy is more inclusive and benefits all segments of society, in line with the principles of social justice. 'The state government has received various feedback regarding the announcement of the intervention measure to provide a five per cent discount to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold (overhang) property units, as announced by the State Housing and Environment Committee chairman on June 5. 'Some of the feedback and views received suggest that the discount should also be offered to all buyers to stimulate the property sector, particularly the sale of unsold properties or units,' he said in a statement today. On Thursday, Sundarajoo announced a five per cent discount for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of residential and commercial units under the Madani Inclusive Property Sector Catalyst Policy (MOC). This is among several incentives in the policy, effective from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, in addition to introducing a special category, Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) Type D, with a maximum ceiling price of RM400,000, and a reduction in contribution rates for developers who do not physically provide RMKu Type A or B units. The policy is an intervention measure to revitalise the property sector, following discussions and agreement with housing industry stakeholders, taking into account the increasingly concerning oversupply of non-affordable units in Penang. According to the Penang Property Market Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, issued by the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), a total of 2,796 residential units have been identified as unsold, involving various types of residential properties across the state. — Bernama
