Chow said this meeting, where they are expected to finalise several matters involving the project, would take place after a climate change action council meeting in Putrajaya.

“Our hope is to reach an agreement as soon as possible to start the project, because it will take five to six years before the water (from Perak) will be supplied to consumers.

“Considering the rapid industrial development and other activities in Penang, this project has become a top priority not only for Penang but also for our country, because this state is a semiconductor powerhouse, requiring energy and water supply to support the influx of investments,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Last week, Anwar announced that Perak had agreed to supply water to Seberang Perai, Penang, through the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park.

He said the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, had also given his approval.