Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) also said that the subsea pipes were already 27 years old.

“I have been informed that to repair the subsea pipes, we need to wait for the right conditions in terms of tide and current. It can only be done twice in a month.

“Would the federal government consider replacing the pipes, after 27 years, given the constant leaks here and there?

“Does the government intend to provide assistance to (state-owned water concessionaire) Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd to completely replace the pipes?” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.

Deputy energy transition and water transformation minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir however said that the real constraint lay at the state level in terms of cost.

He also said that generally, the damage to the pipelines was caused by trawler nets.

“In terms of how we can solve the problem in the long run, I mentioned earlier that the RM50 million is insufficient for repairs,” he said, referring to the loan provided by the federal government to fix the pipes.

Estimates based on reviews conducted suggest that an additional cost of around RM110 million is needed, said the deputy minister.

“Hence, the ministry is also seeking to channel additional allocations via loans through Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd,” he said.

“However, we also ask the state government to take this matter seriously. Even though there are more users or account holders in Kedah compared to Langkawi, Langkawi is an island we need to take care of and elevate its status,” Akmal added.

In May, the New Straits Times quoted Kedah’s public works, natural resources, water supply and environment committee chairman Yusoff @ Munir Zakaria as saying that repairing the leaks in the subsea pipes only required the use of clamps.

He said a survey by the project consultant involved confirmed that the pipeline’s thickness was suitable for repair in this manner, and that the state would conduct a value management assessment before opening a tender for the project, expected in June.