Opinion | Malaysia’s thirst for tech success faces erratic weather and water headwinds
- The government needs to pay more to ensure Malaysia’s long-term water sustainability as the weather threatens to dent its tech ambitions
Just four years ago, the graves resurfaced in the man-made reservoir as farmers in Kedah, which contributes nearly half of Malaysia’s total rice production, suffered steep losses due to a prolonged drought that all but dried up the lake and key water catchment areas.
The graves popped up again earlier this week, highlighting critical water levels in dams and rivers in the northern part of the peninsula.
The administration of Penang state, Malaysia’s semiconductor hub, has urged residents to cut back their water usage by 10 per cent – at least until September when the rainy season is expected to return.
Earlier this year, one town in Sabah state in Malaysian Borneo faced weeks of water cuts as low river levels caused by a lengthy drought allowed seawater to travel 13km upstream, forcing an already overloaded water treatment plant to shut down.
Experts say the prolonged drought affecting parts of Malaysia is caused by an extended El Nino weather phenomenon, a regular weather event in Southeast Asia that has been worsened by climate change.