KUALA LUMPUR: The National Water Services Commission (Span) believes that the country should approach access to water from a national security perspective, particularly in light of the uncertainties brought about by climate change. Span chairman Charles Santiago stated that only by doing so will the water sector receive the highest priority in government planning and resource allocation.
Santiago highlighted that Budget 2024 allocated RM1.1bil for infrastructure development in Sabah, Labuan, and Kelantan, while the construction of five littoral combat naval ships cost RM11.9bil even though the country is not at war. He argued that if the water sector received a substantial RM11.9bil, significant progress could be made in reducing non-revenue water and promoting the use of reclaimed water, as well as improving river cleanliness and developing other necessary infrastructure.
According to Santiago, ensuring sufficient water availability could also attract new businesses such as data centers. He mentioned that some companies are leaving Malaysia due to inadequate water resources, although he did not provide further details on this matter. He warned that time is running out, particularly in the face of extreme weather conditions.
Santiago emphasized that private companies have a crucial role in prioritizing water. He cited a bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance study, which revealed that water ranked second to last in corporate concerns. He suggested that practices such as rainwater harvesting, reclaimed water usage, efficient water machinery, and reducing plastic waste could help ensure efficient water utilization.
