Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was quoted in the Malay Mail saying it is imperative to have such a policy in place as resources are dwindling along with increased water demands from all sectors.

“The increasing demand has to be managed. I am not just referring to domestic water use but to high demand from the industrial and agricultural sectors as well,” he was quoted saying.

He also said the proposed framework will include recommendations by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, and Water Resources Management and Hydrology divisions.

According to Wan Junaidi, the recent water shortage affecting states like Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak served as a wakeup call to the National Water Services Commission to plan water policies in the future.

He said water authorities should be formed at state level to deal with the federal authorities to take measures such as gazetting water catchment areas before water shortages became critical.