KUALA LUMPUR – The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has urged the government and private sector to look upon the issue of water management and supply with the highest priority, cautioning that it has become a national security concern.
Its chairman Charles Santiago stressed that time is running out as the country faces “uncertainties”, especially climate change.
As it stands, businesses are already leaving the country due to the risk of insufficient water availability, he said.
“The country needs to view the management of water resources from a national security lens, especially in facing the uncertainties of climate change,” he said.
“This would give the water sector the highest priority in government planning and resource allocation.”
He said that sufficient water availability can be a major attraction for new businesses such as data centres and so on.
“Existing companies are departing Malaysia due to inadequate water resources,” he said.
“By making water a national security priority, we are protecting the country against the uncertainties of climate change.”
He said this in his speech at the Water and Water Resources Forum 2023 organised by the Environmental Management and Research Association of Malaysia at the Indah Water Konsortium headquarters here yesterday. The text was shared with the press today.
Santiago alluded to the relatively low priority given to avert an impending water crisis.
He noted that Budget 2024 has allocated RM1.1 billion for infrastructure development for Sabah, Labuan and Kelantan.
The building of five littoral combat ships (LCS) cost RM11.9 billion despite Malaysia not being at war, he added.
“If the water sector gets a thumping RM 11.9 billion, tremendous gains – to reduce non-revenue water (NRW), push towards reclaimed water, cleaning of rivers, and develop other water infrastructure – can be achieved.
“Such a decision to make water part of national security concern is mainly because time is running out in the face of extreme weather conditions,” he stressed.
Santiago added that private firms have an essential role to play in prioritising water.
An Alliance Bank ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) study showed that water ranks second to last in corporate concerns, he said.
“Companies must also focus on water conservation and elevate water’s priority in ESG strategies,” he said.
He listed rainwater harvesting, reclaimed water, efficient water machinery, and no plastic use as measures that can help to ensure that water is used efficiently.
“We need to save water in the same way we save energy,” he said. – The Vibes, November 3 , 2023
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