Not everybody would want ‘to wash dirty linen in public’. But during a panel discussion at an international water forum, one Malaysian delegate did just that – in an attempt to speak truth to power!
President of the Malaysia Water Association, Dr. Ir Mohmad Asari Daud, simply told the forum “What is what” in a no-holds-barred poise during the panel discussion. He said: “In Malaysia, we face the significant challenge posed by aging pipes in our water distribution systems, leading to bursts and leakages frequently. For the record, as of this discussion, there had been five major bursts in 2024 alone.”
Another delegate, Ir Mohd Yazid Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan (SAINS), highlighted the limited funds available for maintenance, leaving little room for investment in innovations.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”block” ihc_mb_who=”unreg” ihc_mb_template=”3″ ]
Both the issues raised by Mohmad Asari and Mohd Yazid are umbilically linked. Additionally, Mohd Yazid pointed out the discrepancy between the price of water and its intrinsic value, highlighting the broader systemic issue that requires attention. Other speakers focused on harnessing innovation and technologies to advance water security as well as obstacles facing technological advancements.
This forum was the first hosted on March 7 in Kuala Lumpur as a precursor to the 10th Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) from June 18 to 22 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.
This landmark event in Singapore will serve as a global platform, uniting over 2,000 water leaders and experts, along with 500 global exhibitors. Participants will include leaders, experts, and practitioners from governments, cities, water utilities, agencies, industry, and academia, all gathering to showcase innovation and foster partnerships aimed at addressing urban water and associated climate challenges for municipal and industrial water users in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Key themes such as digitalisation, climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and water sustainability will be prominently featured across the programme pillars of SIWW 2024. These pillars include the Water Leader Summit, Lee Yuan Yew Water Prize, Water Convention, and Water Expo. These thematic areas will drive discussions, presentations, and exhibitions aimed at advancing solutions to pressing water-related issues.
The Kuala Lumpur event was attended by more than 60 local senior utility and industry leaders, distributors, industrial water end-users, as well as trade associations and chambers. It delved into Malaysia’s water landscape and strategies for addressing urban and industrial water challenges through two-panel discussions focusing on “Progressing towards Water Sustainability and Harnessing Innovation & Technologies to Advance Water Security.”
The panels featured distinguished speakers from various sectors of the Malaysian water industry, offering valuable insights and expertise on these critical topics.
Damaged pipe in Malaysia highlights the country’s aging water infrastructure, a topic of discussion at a recent water forum.
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