Press Statement by Penang Chief Minister and Chairman of PBA Holdings Lim Guan Eng in Komgtar George Town on 27 February 2014.
Senior PBAPP officials will be sacked if false information is given about water stocks in Penang dams and water rationing imposed in March 2014. This shows how serious and committed the state government towards dealing with the severe drought season afflicting Peninsular Malaysia in ensuring that there is no disruption in water supply as well as in the daily lives of 1.6 million Penangites and investors.
From daily briefings given by PBAPP, senior officials have given assurances that there is adequate water with the Air Itam Dam at 70% capacity, Teluk Bahang Dam at 90% capacity and Mengkuang Dam at 50% capacity,brought down to 50% because of ongoing contruction works to more than double its capacity. PBAPP officials have assured me that there is no water shortage and no need for water rationing even if the rains do not fall in March.
This will be a test of the professionalism and effectiveness of PBAPP’s water demand management. As the top water supply operator in the country that is not only the most efficient and the lowest Non-Revenue Water at 17.6% compared to the national average of 34%, has allowed Penangites to enjoy the lowest water tariffs in Malaysia. Unfortunately PBAPP’s efficiency and lowest water tarriffs has also caused Penangites to waste water the most, with the highest consumption of 302 liters per person per day as compared to the national consumption average of 213.
I have warned PBAPP senior officials that should Penang have to undergo water rationing next month, then they have to face the ultimate price of being sacked. If the rains do not come by late March, an evaluation will be held on 1 April 2014 to determine whether there is any need for water rationing. In the meantime, Penangites and the important business and manufacturing community can go about their daily lives undisturbed with the repeated pleas from the state government to conserve water.
Lim Guan Eng
—–Mandarin Version—
槟州首席部长兼槟州水务机构主席林冠英于2014年2月27日在光大乔治市发表声明：
槟州供水机构（PBAPP）高级官员若提供错误的槟城水坝储水资讯，而2014年3月却需要实施配水，将会被开除。
槟州供水机构（PBAPP）高级官员若提供错误的槟城水坝储水资讯，而2014年3月却需要实施配水，将会被开除。 从槟州水供机构的每日报告中，槟州水供机构已经保证亚依谈水坝还有70%的水源，直落巴巷水坝还有90%水源、孟光水坝还有50%水源，现在进行的工程将增加它的储水量。槟州水供机构官员向我保证，就算三月没有下雨，槟州不会出现水供短缺，也不需要配水。
这将考验槟州水供机构水供管理的专业及效率。做为国内最顶尖的水供管理机构，它不只是最有效，也是无收益水最少的州属（17.6%），全国的平均无收益水为34%，并让槟城人民享受全马最低的水费。可惜槟州水供机构的效率及最低水费却导致槟城人民浪费最多水，导致槟州每日人均用水量达302公升，全国为213公升。
我已经警告槟州水供机构高级官员，如果槟州需要在3月分进行配水，他们将面对被开除的处分。如果三月再不下雨，我们将在2014年4月1日进行评估，以进定要不要进行配水。与此同时，州政府一再要求全体人民节约用水，而槟城人、重要的商业及制造业者可以如常生活及作业。
林冠英