Penang targets tighter raw water control with new law this month as project talks with Perak await green light
GEORGE TOWN, May 3 — 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 today.
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
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Silicon island link by 2028
Building the future: The temporary steel bridge provides access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd GEORGE TOWN: A 380m-long coastal bridge connecting the southern coast of Penang island to the emerging Silicon Island is expected to be ready by the end of 2028. With four lanes in each direction, the bridge is designed to meet future transportation needs and support the development of the man-made island, which will house the proposed Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) depot and Green Tech Park. The bridge is also a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A), a strategic initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who disclosed this yesterday, said the contract for the bridge project had been awarded and construction will begin this month. He said phase one is targeted for completion by mid-2027 to support the opening of Silicon Island's first operational factory, with full commissioning expected at the end of the following year. 'In the meantime, a temporary steel bridge has been built to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which now spans 64.75ha of the intended 931ha. Phase One of the island with a total of 64.75ha reclaimed to date. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd 'It helps expedite the mobilisation of machinery and workers who used boats before this. This is a model development,' Chow said during a visit to the Silicon Island project site. The visit included a preview of the designated areas for the Mutiara Line LRT depot and Green Tech Park, which are gradually taking shape. Chow said work on the LRT project will begin once the Notice to Proceed is issued to SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS) in several weeks' time. 'Preliminary work, including soil testing and placement of infrastructure, are being carried out,' he added. It was reported that construction of the Mutiara Line LRT would begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5km Mutiara Line, targeted for delivery in December 2031, will feature 21 strategically located stations to improve connectivity between the island and mainland. Chow also said a new community facility, Medan Selera Matang, was being built in Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. It will feature a village community management council hall, fishermen's one-stop service centre, food stalls, restaurants and storage sheds for fishermen. For the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built. The total construction cost for the community facilities, pump house and suction tank is estimated at RM36mil.
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Barnama
Marine Viaduct To Be Built To Link Southern Penang With Silicon Island
GEORGE TOWN, June 6 (Bernama) -- A 380-metre marine viaduct connecting southern Penang with Silicon Island will be built and is expected to open to the public by December 2028. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the four-lane viaduct is a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project, which is a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge or the Second Penang Bridge, as well as supporting the state's long-term urban growth. He said construction work on the viaduct would begin this month, with the first phase expected to be completed by mid-2027 to support the opening of the first factory to operate on Silicon Island in the same year. 'The total cost of PIL2A phase one is RM390 million, covering the construction of 1.5 kilometres of infrastructure connecting the land area at Permatang Damar Laut to Silicon Island, including the construction of a 380-metre permanent marine viaduct. 'The components in PIL2A phase one will also connect Silicon Island with the Second Bridge at Batu Maung Roundabout and the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) through the construction of an elevated highway to improve connectivity,' he told reporters after visiting Silicon Island to see the progress of development there, which has now reached 64.75 hectares. According to Chow, the contractor has completed the construction of a 378-metre temporary bridge to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which will have a community hub, including Medan Selera Matang, to be built at Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. He said the initiative is to ensure that those affected by the development project there, especially food stall traders, can be relocated, thus reflecting the state government's commitment and concern. "The development of the community hub on land covering approximately 0.8 hectares will also include a new Village Community Management Council (MPKK) hall, Fishermen's One-Stop Service Centre, food stalls and restaurants, as well as a shed for fishermen," he said. Chow said to support the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built on land adjacent to Medan Selera Matang, with construction work to commence in the third quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- The Sun
Marine viaduct to be built to link southern Penang with Silicon Island
GEORGE TOWN: A 380-metre marine viaduct connecting southern Penang with Silicon Island will be built and is expected to open to the public by December 2028. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the four-lane viaduct is a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project, which is a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge or the Second Penang Bridge, as well as supporting the state's long-term urban growth. He said construction work on the viaduct would begin this month, with the first phase expected to be completed by mid-2027 to support the opening of the first factory to operate on Silicon Island in the same year. 'The total cost of PIL2A phase one is RM390 million, covering the construction of 1.5 kilometres of infrastructure connecting the land area at Permatang Damar Laut to Silicon Island, including the construction of a 380-metre permanent marine viaduct. 'The components in PIL2A phase one will also connect Silicon Island with the Second Bridge at Batu Maung Roundabout and the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) through the construction of an elevated highway to improve connectivity,' he told reporters after visiting Silicon Island to see the progress of development there, which has now reached 64.75 hectares. According to Chow, the contractor has completed the construction of a 378-metre temporary bridge to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which will have a community hub, including Medan Selera Matang, to be built at Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. He said the initiative is to ensure that those affected by the development project there, especially food stall traders, can be relocated, thus reflecting the state government's commitment and concern. 'The development of the community hub on land covering approximately 0.8 hectares will also include a new Village Community Management Council (MPKK) hall, Fishermen's One-Stop Service Centre, food stalls and restaurants, as well as a shed for fishermen,' he said. Chow said to support the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built on land adjacent to Medan Selera Matang, with construction work to commence in the third quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Meanwhile, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB) chief executive Officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said that the total construction cost for the community facilities, pump houses and suction tanks is estimated at RM36 million. 'This facility (community hub) is expected to be a vibrant new destination that will not only benefit residents, but also have the potential to attract more tourists, thus supporting tourism and the local economy,' he said. Silicon Island, with a land area of 930.78 hectares, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government. It marks the first time the state government is directly undertaking a reclamation project to ensure long-term economic growth.
