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Malaysia’s ‘Silicon Valley’ hit by ‘absurd’ 4-day water cut, 500,000 homes affected
- The disruption is due to crews needing to replace two huge leaking and rusted valves at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant
- The plant supplies water to about 80 per cent of Penang state
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More than half a million households and businesses in northern Malaysia will be without water for up to four days starting on Wednesday due to engineering works at a major treatment plant, officials said.
The disruption has forced hundreds of manufacturers in Penang state – often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the East” – to suspend operations.
Most schools have closed, and some hospitals have postponed minor surgeries.
Four days without running water is absurd
About 100 water tanks have been deployed to help ease the situation, but some residents expressed anger over the disruption.
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“Four days without running water is absurd,” said Ooi Chin Hock, a former investment banker who filled up six large plastic containers to stockpile water at his home.
“[This is]a black dot on the state,” he added.
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Technicians carrying out the repair works at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant, which supplies water to about 80 per cent of the state, were replacing two huge leaking and rusted water valves.
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