Ipoh: The Perak government has urged the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of the water transfer project from Sungai Perak to Tasik Bukit Merah to address water supply shortages, especially during the dry season. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad emphasized the necessity of this project for solving irrigation problems in northern Perak’s paddy fields and meeting the demand for clean water to support the Integrated Rubber Industrial Area (KIGIP).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the project aims to support the construction of a new water treatment plant, ensuring water supply for KIGIP and the residents of northern Perak, with any surplus potentially being sold to Penang. Saarani highlighted that the project was initially requested to resolve irrigation issues but now serves multiple purposes, including supporting industrial development.

In a report on July 15 in Utusan, Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) Deputy Chairman Azhar Hashim urged the government to expedite the project’s implementation to secure adequate water supply for agricultural purposes, particularly paddy cultivation. Saarani also addressed proposals for cloud seeding operations, noting that the decision should involve the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Agency, considering technical factors like wind direction and cloud formation.

Saarani mentioned that the Meteorological Department currently advises against cloud seeding due to unpredictable wind directions, which could impact the effectiveness of the operation. In the meantime, farmers in affected areas are relying on water supply from nearby rivers managed by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority as a temporary solution.