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PENGURUSAN Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) chairman Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa said stronger public-private collaboration is needed to ensure water resources remain sustainable.
He said that water tariff adjustments, conservation and reducing leakages and wastage must be incorporated now.
“Water conservation campaigns and practises must take precedence in coping with droughts and global warming, while restructuring how water entities operate is now a must,” he said.
Jaseni said water authorities across the country need to reinvest in the security and safety of their piping systems, treatment plants, and intake facilities.
"There is no choice, as the water tariffs are insufficient to meet the operating expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX).
“In fact, the practice of some concessionaires to seek short-term loans to underwrite long-term projects has placed a considerable pressure on their cash flow, causing their internal debt burden to increase," he said.
PAAB now owns 2,228 water infrastructure assets nationwide, from 1,513 storage tanks to 408 pumping stations, 143 intake stations, 142 treatment plants, 11 dams and 11 supporting facilities as well as 35,108 km of water piping system.
PAAB has now invested in managing assets in 10 states, but Sabah and Sarawak have autonomy to manage their own resources entirely.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said that the state is strengthening its water security by building a climate-resilient water ecosystem that can support high-tech industrial growth while ensuring water remains safe, accessible and affordable.
"Water security must be treated as part of Penang’s economic strategy and not merely as a utility issue," said Zairil.
Zairil said Penang’s growth is dependent on advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, research and development, medical technology and other high-value industries.
“These activities create investment, employment and opportunities. However, they also require reliable infrastructure, skilled talent, secure energy and, critically, a sustainable water supply,” he added. – September 25, 2025
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