Latest news with #PAAB
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
PAAB pushes water conservation and infrastructure upgrades
KUALA LUMPUR: Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) is intensifying efforts to restructure the nation's water services, with a focus on reducing non-revenue water (NRW), promoting water conservation, and securing sustainable supply systems. PAAB chairman Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa said the agency is collaborating with stakeholders, including media, to raise awareness on water conservation's role in national development. "We're educating the public on valuing water, saving it and protecting catchment areas — key to our supply system." He spoke during a visit to Media Prima headquarters in Bangsar. He added that PAAB is investing in water infrastructure projects, particularly in states with high NRW rates. Kelantan, Kedah, Pahang, and Perlis are prioritised for pipe replacements and plant upgrades. "We've allocated RM1.5 billion to Kelantan, RM1.2 billion to Kedah and RM700 million to Pahang. "These investments are meant to help state water operators reduce NRW and improve treated water reserve margins." Jaseni said that Malaysia's national NRW average stands at 37 per cent, meaning only 63 litres out of every 100 litres of treated water reach consumers, "This loss translates into billions of ringgit in wasted investment. "Replacing ageing asbestos cement pipes, many beyond their lifespan, is critical. "There are about 39,000km of such pipes in the system. We aim to replace them within 25 years, aligning with our 2050 restructuring plan. "There's no point building new treatment plants if water continues to leak before it reaches consumers." He said PAAB is helping states achieve SPAN's 15 per cent treated water reserve margin to handle dry-season demand spikes. PAAB is also seeking collaboration with media organisations to push for a national water education campaign. "Our mission is to help Malaysians understand that water is a basic human right, tied directly to quality of life and economic progress. "Societies that solve their water issues tend to be healthier, more productive and even have higher mental health outcomes." He cited developed nations, such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, as examples of how effective water management contributes to national advancement. "We must develop a society that values and respects water. When people understand its importance, it leads to broader improvements in public health, productivity, and national wellbeing." He provided an update on one of PAAB's major infrastructure milestones: the completion of the Langat 2 Phase 1 water treatment plant. "The RM4.2 billion Langat 2 Phase 1, federally funded, is complete and has resolved Selangor's shortages. "We've written to invite the prime minister to officiate the project's launch, hopefully in August," he added. The corporate visit was attended by representatives from PAAB, including chief operating officer Abdul Samad Sulaiman and head of corporate services division Rozaifee Abu Zahari.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Langat 2 Plant sets triple national record
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's water infrastructure took a transformative leap yesterday as Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) celebrated the official recognition of Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant's Package 3 with three entries in the Malaysia Book of Records. PAAB chief executive officer Zulkiflee Omar said the completion of Package 3, officially delivered on April 13, was not just another infrastructure milestone but a transformative step for Malaysia's water sector. "This achievement marks our collective progress towards a future grounded in sustainability, safety and innovation not only in water infrastructure, but in Malaysian engineering as a whole," he said during the awards ceremony at the Package 3 Project site here yesterday. The RM209.95 million project was recognised for three achievements: the first pipe conveyor system for water treatment residuals in Malaysia, the longest pipe conveyor system for water treatment residuals at 1.918km and the longest shaftless screw conveyor system at 46m. Zulkiflee said the award-winning facility demonstrates Malaysia's capability to deliver world-class engineering solutions while prioritising environmental and operational sustainability. "This is not just an operational enhancement. It is a forward-thinking solution rooted in environmental, social and governance principles." With a treatment capacity of 1,130 million litres per day, Langat 2 is one of the largest water treatment plants in the country. The facility can generate up to 400 tonnes of residual waste daily, depending on the quality of raw water sourced from Sungai Semantan, which is channelled from the Kelau Dam in Pahang through a 45km gravity-fed tunnel beneath the Banjaran Titiwangsa. Zulkiflee said that under conventional methods, managing such a volume of waste would require 96 lorry trips per day, or more than 35,000 trips annually, causing road congestion, safety risks, emissions, and health concerns for nearby communities. "Just imagine the carbon emissions, the diesel burnt, and the public health risks if we had relied on trucks. This innovation alone reflects how infrastructure can, and must be, aligned with national sustainability goals and community welfare," he said. He said the enclosed pipe conveyor system, capable of transporting 120 tonnes per hour, connects the plant directly to a dedicated landfill site near the Bukit Enggang Balancing Reservoir in Bandar Mahkota Cheras. "It traverses granitic hills, clay soil, roadways, and even the East Klang Valley Expressway, a true testament to Malaysia's engineering ingenuity." The system reduces fossil fuel dependency, airborne dust, and odour pollution, while enhancing long-term operational resilience and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Zulkiflee thanked all parties involved in the successful delivery of Package 3, including the main contractor Salcon Engineering Bhd, as well as consultants, stakeholders, and government agencies. "These achievements are more than accolades. They are symbols of what can be accomplished when vision meets execution, and when sustainability is built into design. "We are humbled and inspired to continue pushing boundaries, building better, and serving our nation with distinction." The completion of Package 3 marks the final milestone in Phase 1 of the Langat 2 mega project, which comprises 26 infrastructure packages across key corridors in the Klang Valley. Present were PAAB chairman Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa, National Water Services Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Kadir Mohd Din, Salcon Engineering Bhd executive deputy chairman Tan Sri Tee Tiam Lee and CEO Jamiluddin Amini Sulaiman, Kajang Municipal Council president Nazli Md Taib, and Malaysia Book of Records representative Edwin Yeoh.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia's ‘water bank' visits Star Media Group
(Front row) Chan (second from left), Zulkiflee, Wang (right) and Ng, posing for a group photo together with other personnel from Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd and Star Media Group at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya. AN 11-member delegation from Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) paid a courtesy visit to Star Media Group (SMG) with the objective of strengthening ties. PAAB chief executive officer Zulkiflee Omar said the company funds the building, upgrading and repairing of water assets nationwide. 'That's why we refer to ourselves as the country's water bank,' he said. 'We are wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Inc and our mandate from the government is to provide the most economic and sustainable funding to water operators across the country.' Zulkiflee noted that among the major projects PAAB is involved in is phase two of the Langat 2 water treatment plant project. PAAB is also finalising two key projects in Kelantan, including a water treatment plant (WTP) in Bukit Chupak, Gua Musang. Zulkiflee said two WTPs were also underway in Penang, worth over RM1bil. 'We want the public to know what we are doing and hope SMG can help share our journey with the people,' he said. At SMG headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Zulkiflee and his team also toured the studios of Malay radio station Suria FM and Chinese radio station 988 FM before adjourning for light refreshments. SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said they would explore how both entities could work together more closely. Also present were SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang and chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng. ― By ALISA IDRIS
