GE15: Kedah residents want water woes resolved

PENDANG: Tired of having to deal with water supply disruptions for endless time, residents and electors in Kedah want those elected as their representatives in the 15th General Election (GE15) to find a comprehensive to the problem that has made life difficult for them, especially traders.

A resident of Kubur Panjang here, Abdul Rahman Ideris said the frequent water supply disruption in his area had forced him to buy a water pump to obtain water supply from a well.

"The price of the water pump is between RM400 and RM500, it's expensive....and the amount does not include the installation cost which can reach up to RM800.

"Even then, the water pump stops working and you need to buy another one. As such, I have to rely on well water, which I have to use pump, because pipe water is unreliable," said the 71-year-old petty trader when met at his house here recently.

Abd Munin Idris, 51, of Kampung Kubang Pisang here, said water supply disruptions in his area occurred at certain periods depending on the location.

Although there has been an increase in the population, the water supply infrastructure has not been upgraded, he said and expressed the hope that after GE15, the government would take action to address the problem.

A similar sentiment was shared by residents in Merbok.

Pertubuhan Warisan Sejati Kampung Bujang secretary Akmal Ismail, said the problem had made daily life difficult for the 1,500 residents, involving 250 families, in the village.

"It becomes worse when it rains because the water becomes murky and can result in the water treatment plant (LRA) to stop working," he said.

Ghazali Shaari, 62, of Kampung Bujang, which is in the Merbok parliamentary constituency, said Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (SADA) would send water supply using lorries when there is a water supply disruption, but it is not enough to cover his household needs.

Meanwhile, former State Public Works, Water Supply and Resources, Energy, Irrigation and Drainage Committee Datuk Suraya Yaacob, who is Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Pendang parliamentary seat, said five LRA projects were being implemented to address the state's water woes.

-- BERNAMA