GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia must accelerate the adoption of green technology in the water sector to secure long-term sustainability of the nation’s water supply, said Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) chairman Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa.
He said green technology initiatives within the sector should prioritise strengthening the water supply system rather than focusing solely on flood mitigation.
“In most of the PAAB projects, we have instructed our engineering unit to look at the latest green technology and our main objective is to reduce carbon footprint.
“When we move towards green technology, we improve the sustainability of the water supply system and reduce operational costs. We want to make it more efficient and ensure that the whole water supply value chain conforms to a circular economy,” he told reporters at the WaterTech Asia 2025 Exhibition and Forum at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre here today.
The event was officiated by Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hong Wai. Also present was Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) CEO Datuk K. Pathmanathan.
Jaseni highlighted PBAPP’s successful initiative to recycle treatment plant residue as a model that could be expanded nationwide.
He also noted that the industry is currently awaiting the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation’s decision to declassify water treatment residue as scheduled waste.
He said many entrepreneurs are keen to invest in the sector, particularly since countries such as Japan, the United States and Australia do not categorise such residue as scheduled waste.
Jaseni emphasised that WaterTech Asia serves as a key platform to encourage water operators, vendors, suppliers and innovators to prioritise green technology as the industry’s future.
Meanwhile, Pathmanathan said WaterTech Asia 2025 is an international event that serves as a crucial platform bringing together exhibitors from various countries while stressing that Penang, being a water-stressed state with very high water demand, urgently needs innovative approaches and technologies to support its long-term water resilience.
“This is a venue where exhibitors showcase solutions and at the same time, we are looking for innovators who can address the issues,” he said.
More than 100 exhibitors from over five countries, including Indonesia, China, Canada, Germany and South Korea, are participating in the three-day exhibition and conference, which aims to amplify efforts to position Malaysia as a regional hub for water management professionals and supporting industries, fostering both regional and global growth opportunities. – Bernama
