KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The government is taking a long-term approach to ensure water security in Johor remains safeguarded, in line with rapid growth in the industrial sector, urban development and strategic investments, including data centres.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said, based on a report by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), Johor’s current raw water abstraction stands at 2,052 million litres per day.
“In this regard, the government is intensifying efforts to strengthen raw water resources and water supply systems in Johor through the implementation of various strategic projects.
“These include proposed dam developments, river-side water storage, barrages and raw water conveyance infrastructure,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
He was responding to Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) on the government’s long-term plan to expand Johor’s water capacity, given the state’s emergence as a major data centre hub in Southeast Asia.
Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said that beyond strengthening raw water sources, the government and state water operators are also assessing the need to upgrade the capacity of supply systems and water treatment plants in phases.
This will be guided by current and future demand projections to ensure sufficient treated water supply.
“At the same time, four water treatment plant projects under financing by Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) are being implemented to enhance treated water capacity in Johor.
“The government also views reclaimed water as an important component of its long-term water security strategy, particularly for high-water-use industries such as data centres,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
