I Can T Shelve Water Crisis For Future Cm To Solve Says Chow

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Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow helping to fill a water tank for use by Balik Pulau residents during the water shutdown next week. (Facebook pic)PETALING JAYA: Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, under pressure over a 96-hour water shutdown, says he has to act and cannot ignore the possibility of future ruptures of water supply pipelines.
“I could have closed my eyes and left it to a future candidate for chief minister to resolve the problem.
“But as the leader of the state government and chairman of the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), it is necessary for me to do this to prevent more severe losses for the people,” he said, according to Guang Ming Daily.
Last week, Chow’s predecessor as chief minister, Lim Guan Eng, had criticised PBAPP chief executive officer K Pathmanathan at a closed-door meeting for saying it was the public’s responsibility to store at least two days’ worth of water at all times.
A leaked two-minute video clip showed Lim calling for more water tankers to be placed on standby at worst-affected areas in the state, instead of the people being put under pressure to store water.
Penang will undergo a four-day water supply shutdown from Jan 10, for a valve replacement at a water treatment plant and repairs to the main water supply pipeline.
Chow said the shutdown was his biggest challenge so far as chief minister.
He said most water pipelines in Penang were already at critical levels and ruptures could occur at any moment.
“These pipes have repeatedly been damaged and repaired. They could rupture at any moment from high water pressure. I hope Penangites understand that this is the collective decision of the PBAPP board and state executive council.
“This is not one man’s decision,” he was quoted as saying.
Chow has previously said the shutdown could be considered an “emergency situation” in the state.
About 590,000 water users will be affected by the shutdown. Water supply is expected to resume within 48 hours in areas closest to the treatment plant, while supply in other areas may be restored 72 to 96 hours later. - FMT

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