IPOH, Sept. 28 -- Perak is hoping for at least RM1.4 billion in the upcoming Federal Budget to fund key water supply infrastructure, particularly a project to transfer water from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah to support farmers regularly affected by drought.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the project was among the state's priorities submitted by the Perak Economic Planning Unit to the Finance Ministry ahead of the Budget announcement.

"We are currently in the phase of realising the project to transfer water from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah. If there is surplus water later, only then will we consider selling treated water to Penang.

"This is expected to help meet water needs in Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park in nor...