Penang is home to an estimated population of 1.78 million people.\u00a0 In 2018, its contribution to Malaysia\u2019s GDP was valued to be RM96.9 billion.<\/p>\n
An island state, Penang is an international centre for high-tech manufacturing and services, as well as renowned Asian tourism destination. George Town, its capital city, is listed by UNESCO as one of the \u201cHistoric Cities of the Straits of Malacca\u201d.<\/p>\n
There are many good reasons why Penang continues to serve as a\u00a0 successful hub for progress in Malaysia\u2019s Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER). A fundamental and understated reason is continuous good water supply<\/p>\n<\/div>
Inherent strengths and great potential aside, Penang is a water-stressed state. With a small geographical footprint of only 1,048 sq. km, it is naturally short of raw water resources.<\/span><\/p>\n In 1999, Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) was corporatised to manage water supply sustainably for Penang. There has been no incidence of water rationing in Penang in period 1999 to 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n Nevertheless, it is worthy to note that in 2018, more than 80% of Penang\u2019s raw water was abstracted from only one primary raw water resource: Sungai Muda.\u00a0 The mid-point of this river serves as a boundary between Penang and its neighbouring state of Kedah.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>