PASIR GUDANG, Jan 15 — Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) allocates about RM1 billion annually to carry out works to repair and upgrade the water piping system throughout Peninsular Malaysia, says its chief executive officer, Abdul Hadi Ali.
He said the allocation would be channelled to state water supply companies according to their respective annual business plans.
However, the states of Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu do not come under PAAB's management, he added.
"On average, the total annual allocation given out by PAAB is about RM1 billion. For pipe replacement works alone, there is an expenditure of RM600 million.
"In Johor alone, about RM400 million was spent to replace pipes, whereas around RM200 million was spent in Kelantan,” he told reporters after officiating the national-level PAAB’s e-comics contest at Taman Scientex secondary school, here, today.
Abdul Hadi said in addition to the pipe replacement initiative, some states are more focused on constructing new water treatment plants, and water tanks, and participating in non-revenue water reduction initiatives.
He said this when asked about PAAB's annual expenditure to implement repair and upgrading works for the country's piping system.
He added upgrading and repair works this year would be conducted in several states including Johor, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.
PAAB, a wholly-owned company of the Minister of Finance Incorporated, was established in 2006 and is regulated by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) through the Water Services Industry Act 2006.
It is to help the federal government realise the National Water Services Industry Restructuring Plan and is responsible for developing water assets in the peninsula with a competitive financing rate. — Bernama
