Malaysia: Sungai Johor Barrage To Resolve Water Issue In The State - Exco

Bernama 23 Nov 15;

NUSAJAYA, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The construction of Sungai Johor Barrage which is scheduled to be completed in late May next year, is expected to reduce water rationing in the state.

Johor Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad said the project was the state government's current initiative to tackle the water supply and rationing problems in Pasir Gudang and Pengerang, Kota Tinggi.

"When it is completed, the barrage is expected to reduce the sea water from coming into Sungai Johor and to increase the reservoir's clean water up to 550 million litres per day.

"This also allows the Sungai Johor to supply water to Sungai Layang Dam and at the same time solving the water rationing issue in Pasir Gudang and Pengerang," he said at the lobby of the Johor Legislative Assembly here today.

Earlier, Hasni simultaneously answered seven questions on the water issues from the opposition and Barisan Nasional representatives during the question-and-answer session.

According to Hasni, the government had received a RM57 million allocation in the 11th Malaysia Plan to undertake various measures, including to build a Sungai Johor barrage and upgrading dams across the state.

He said at the moment, Johor recorded a total water consumption of 220 litres per day compared with Singapore with 155 litres, United Kingdom (150 litres) and Hong Kong (130 litres).

"High water consumption was driven by several factors, including the rapid development in Iskandar Malaysia and Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrated Development project in Pengerang and also climate changes," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Johor records high water usage
MOHD FARHAAN SHAH and KATHLEEN ANN KILI The Star 24 Nov 15;

NUSAJAYA: Johor recorded the highest number of water usage compared to developed nations including Singapore, the United Kingdom and even Hong Kong.

State Works, Regional and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said water usage here is much higher than in those countries due to development taking place.

He pointed out that Johor has an average usage of water amounting to 220l, which is higher than Singapore at 155l, United Kingdom (150l) and Hong Kong (130l).

“This together with change of climate as well as intrusion of catchment area for agricultural work caused water levels in several dams, in particular Sultan Iskandar dam and Sungai Lebam dam, to decrease.

“The Johor government is looking at several ways to improve the situation and hopefully will resolve water problems in Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi and several parts within Johor Baru,” he said.

He added that the increase is due to the massive developments taking place within Iskandar Malaysia and the Rapid project in Pengerang.

Hasni said this in his reply to Ayub Jamil (BN-Rengit), Mohd Azahar Ibrahim (BN-Tenang), Datuk Syed Sis Syed A. Rahman (BN-Tanjung Surat), Chee Peck Choo (DAP-Yong Peng), Tan Chen Choon (DAP-Jementah), Aminolhuda Hassan (Amanah-Parit Yaani) and Liow Cai Tung (DAP-Johor Jaya) at the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar here yesterday.

Hasni pointed out that the state government received allocation under the 11th Malaysian Plan to develop water sources in Johor.

“We received an allocation of RM57mil which allows us to conduct studies including building a barrage in Sungai Johor.

“This barrage will help stop sea water from entering the river and increase the water at its catchment area to 550 million litres that would be channelled to Sungai Layang dam,” he said.

He also added that besides the barrage, which would be completed within the next five months, the government will also build and improve dams located throughout Johor.

“We will also build new water treatment plants in Pagoh, Kahang and Buloh Kasap, and we are optimistic that our steps would help resolve water issues here,” he said.