GEORGE TOWN, Jan 4 – The majority of factories, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), operated by members of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) in Penang will only shut down for two days out of the scheduled four-day water supply disruption beginning Jan 10.
FMM Penang chapter chairman Datuk Seri Lee Teong Li said factory owners have no choice but to suspend operations due to their heavy reliance on water.
He said FMM received information from factories, especially SMEs, that they will implement the shutdown based on the survey and feedback conducted with factory owners who are also FMM members, adding that they will close operations on the first and second day of the water disruption.
Lee said this was because the majority of FMM members comprise factories involved in the food industry, metal fabrication, mix chemicals, metal polishing and others that use a significant amount of water during their operations.
“On the third day, factories will be on standby to monitor whether water supply has been restored or not.
“If it’s a food processing factory, they undoubtedly use a substantial amount of water in their operations. Meanwhile, factories engaged in plating processes also need water for cleaning processes. There must be water for the factories, otherwise they cannot operate,” he said when contacted today.
Lee said the water available in each factory can only last for 48 hours for basic usage such as toilet facilities and not for the daily operations of the factory.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) announced that around 590,000 users, including non-domestic consumers, would experience a scheduled water disruption for 96 hours from 6 am on Jan 10 to 6 am on Jan 14.
This is to facilitate the replacement of two valve units at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant and other works at 22 locations throughout Penang.
