Maran: Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) has fully funded the RM11.19 million pipe replacement project in Maran to address clean water supply disruptions affecting residents, particularly those in the Chenor sub-district, for nearly two decades.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the project was completed three months ahead of schedule, with 29.6km of ageing and deteriorating pipes replaced in several areas, including Kampung Serengkam, Ulu Luit, Pejing, Ulu Jempul, and Chenor. The pipe replacement initiative is part of a strategic effort to ensure residents have continuous access to a reliable supply of clean, quality water. The project has resolved the issue of frequent burst pipes in the area, as well as helping to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) and stabilise water pressure during periods of high demand, especially in the dry season and festive periods.
The statement indicated that nearly 10,000 residents in Maran are directly benefiting from the project, which is expected to improve their wellbeing and contribute to socioeconomic development in the district. Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail officiated the project handover ceremony at the Chenor Water Treatment Plant in Maran today, attended by Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad. PAAB chief executive officer Zulkiflee Omar and Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad (PAIP) chief executive officer Datuk Saiful Zaini Mohd Bokhari were also present.
The statement also mentioned that over the next three years, PAAB would work with PAIP to develop and implement a more strategic and sustainable water infrastructure plan across several districts in Pahang. One of the projects involves upgrading the electrical system at the clean water pumping station at the Jengka Utama Water Treatment Plant to help resolve water supply disruptions in several areas around the Felda Jengka settlement.
PAAB is also implementing a RM35.7 million project to replace 76.2km of ageing and deteriorating pipes in Jerantut and Lipis, connecting areas around Pulau Tawar and Kuala Tahan. An RM13 million project is also underway to replace 11km of water pipes in Felda Keratong, aimed at improving the efficiency of the water supply system in Rompin, it said.
According to PAAB, as of July this year, it had allocated RM1.17 billion for water supply infrastructure projects in Pahang, of which RM69.79 million was for completed projects, RM66.94 million for projects under construction, and RM981.04 million for projects in the planning and design stages. The statement said PAAB will continue to work with the Pahang state government, PAIP, and all stakeholders to strengthen the state's water infrastructure, in line with the federal government's goal of transforming the country's water sector into a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable system.
PAAB was established in 2006 under the Water Services Industry Act 2006 to assist the federal government in implementing the National Water Services Industry Restructuring Plan. It is wholly owned by Minister of Finance Incorporated and regulated by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA). PAIP signed the Pahang State Water Supply Services Restructuring Agreement in 2020.