KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) — Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), a wholly owned company of Minister of Finance Incorporated, has been recognised with Sustainable INFRASTAR certification ratings by Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), for four of its water infrastructure projects.
PAAB Chief Executive Officer, Ir. Zulkiflee Omar, said the recognition marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and responsible project management across Malaysia’s water sector.
“This recognition reflects PAAB’s continuous efforts to integrate sustainability principles into the planning, design and construction of water infrastructure, while ensuring long-term efficiency and environmental responsibility,” he said.
Among the recognised projects is the Conveyor System for Water Treatment Residuals at Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (WTP) package in Selangor, the largest water treatment facility developed by PAAB. The project was awarded a 5-Star rating in the design and construction category.
Meanwhile, the Air Jernih Water Treatment Plant in Alor Gajah, Melaka received two 4-Star ratings for the design of its Treatment Plant with a capacity of 90 million litres per day (MLD) and for the design of a Balancing Water Tank with a total capacity of 10 million litres, with both certifications issued on 4 December 2025.
The same project also earned a 3-Star rating for the design assessment of its Terminal Water Tank, which has a capacity of 10 million litres, with the certification issued on the same date.
According to Ir. Zulkiflee, the Sustainable INFRASTAR assessment evaluates infrastructure projects based on six main criteria across both design and construction stages: Pre-Design and Pre-Construction, Sustainable Land Use, Ecology and Environment, Materials, Resources and Waste, Energy Performance, as well as Social and Innovation elements.
He noted that the recognition underscores PAAB’s commitment to sustainable development practices, including minimising environmental impact through initiatives such as zero-discharge policies, innovative waste management solutions, and responsible resource utilisation.
The certification was presented to Ir. Zulkiflee by CREAM Chief Executive Officer, Ts. Syed Hazni Abd Gani, during an Appreciation and Networking Visit held at Makmal Kerja Raya Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur recently.
PAAB’s sustainability initiatives are guided by its Sustainability Framework, which focuses on economic advancement, environmental stewardship, social accountability and ethical governance.
This framework incorporates the early integration of sustainable practices in project planning, adoption of recognised third-party certification frameworks, implementation of innovative engineering solutions, and sustainable financing initiatives.
These efforts are further supported by a dedicated Board-level Sustainability Committee that oversees the organisation’s Economic, Environmental, Social and Governance (EESG) agenda.
The initiatives are aligned with PAAB’s mission to balance social responsibility with long-term operational efficiency, while supporting national priorities such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Malaysia’s Net Zero by 2050 aspiration, and the strengthening of climate resilience.
Moving forward, PAAB will continue exploring additional certification frameworks, green technologies and strategic partnerships to further enhance industry standards, improve operational sustainability, and strengthen long-term water security in the face of evolving climate challenges.
PAAB was established in May 2006 through the Water Services Industry Act 2006, to assist the Federal Government in realising the National Water Services Industry Restructuring Plan. It is the company responsible for developing water assets in Peninsular Malaysia with access to the most competitive financing rates.
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