‘Pulau Pangkor water disruption likely caused by leak in main pipe’

A suspected leak at one of the three main undersea pipes is the likey cause of the current water disruption at Pulau Pangkor, says Perak infrastructure, energy, water and public transport committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said Perak Water Board (LAP) was trying to trace the leak along the 3.5km pipes from Lumut Jetty to the island,

“However, based on observation after repairs, water pressure had not returned to normal.

“Efforts to channel additional supply to Pangkor have not resolved the issue,” he said at a media conference at Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, reported BK.

Mohammad Nizar said LAP had mobilised six water tankers to distribute water at the island as a short-term measure.

LAP general manager Datuk Ishak Abd Rahman said the board would speed up construction of three water tanks to ensure uninterrupted supply on the island in the long term.

“We will build one on the mainland (Lumut) and two more in Pangkor Jetty and Teluk Nipah.

“Initially, we projected construction to begin within five years but due to the current problems, we will speed it up.”

Earlier, in a statement, Mohammad Nizar said LAP was in the process of upgrading pump houses and building storage tanks in Pulau Pangkor.

Upgrading work would commence in April, while the water tanks project was in the land acquisition process, he said.

Pangkor Hotel and Resort Development Association chairman Fauzan Azhar said they had faced water disruption since Feb 8 because of the increase in tourists to the island during the Chinese New Year period.

Resort operator Ainul Fazrina Khairuddin, 31, said many tourists had cancelled reservations at the last minute when they learnt of the water supply issue.

She was worried that if the water disruption continued, it would affect her business.

“We urge the authorities to resolve the matter quickly as it is Visit Perak Year 2024,” she added.