Leadership, Reform and Resilience: MWA President Mohamad Hairi bin Basri on Malaysia’s Water Future
The Malaysian Water Association (MWA) is a professional, non-profit organization that brings together stakeholders across Malaysia’s water sector, including utilities, government agencies, consultants, manufacturers and researchers. Its primary mission is to promote sustainable water management, advance technical knowledge and support best practices in water supply, wastewater and related services. The association also plays a role in fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, encouraging innovation and capacity building within the industry.
Recently, Asian Water had the opportunity to speak with MWA’s newly appointed President, Encik Mohamad Hairi bin Basri, about his outlook, initiatives, priorities and aspirations for MWA and the Malaysian water industry, which he hopes to champion during his tenure.
Asian Water: As the newly appointed President of The Malaysian Water Association (MWA), how do you view the current outlook of the Malaysian water industry?
Mohamad Hairi: The outlook for Malaysia’s water services sector in 2026 is increasingly progressive. Three key developments are driving this optimism: First, the government’s announcement of water supply tariff revision provides the financial foundation for infrastructure investment. Second, the emphasis on Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction in the 2026 budget signals a strong political commitment to efficiency. Third, the surge in water demand from data centres is catalysing private investment and accelerating the adoption of water reuse and recycling technologies. Together, these factors position our industry for meaningful transformation.
Asian Water: What do you see as the most pressing challenges currently faced by the Malaysian water sector, both at the national and state levels?
Mohamad Hairi: Two interconnected challenges require immediate attention. First, we must not only reduce NRW but build institutional capacity to sustain those reductions over the long term. This is particularly critical in states attracting significant data centre investments, where demand pressures are acute. Second, comprehensive tariff reform remains essential. Without cost-reflective tariffs, we cannot finance the service improvements Malaysians deserve, replace aging infrastructure, or build the capacity needed to meet both current demand and future growth. These challenges are especially urgent as we face the dual pressures of climate change and rapid industrial expansion.
Asian Water: In your opinion, what policy, regulatory or operational improvements are needed to strengthen the performance and resilience of Malaysia’s water services?
Mohamad Hairi: The water services industry reform, initiated two decades ago, established a solid foundation. However, we must evolve beyond the original framework. Our focus should be on continuous adaptation – regularly reassessing whether our policies, regulations and operational practices meet both current realities and future needs. This means creating more flexible regulatory frameworks that can respond to emerging challenges like climate variability, technological innovation and changing consumption patterns. We need to institutionalise regular policy reviews that bring together all stakeholders to ensure our reform agenda remains relevant and effective.
Asian Water: How can industry players like utilities, regulators, engineers, and technology providers work together more effectively to address the challenges in the water industry?
Mohamad Hairi: Effective collaboration requires three elements: First, clarity of roles and accountability among utilities, regulators, engineers and technology providers. Second, systematic learning – we must create platforms for sharing experiences, both successes and failures. Third, we should actively seek out and adapt best practices from both local and international examples. The Malaysian water sector has made significant progress, but we cannot afford complacency. By fostering genuine partnerships and knowledge exchange, we can accelerate innovation and improve outcomes for all Malaysians.
In line with this vision, Malaysia aspires to establish a Water Hub – a centre of excellence and collaboration that brings together industry players, academia, and international partners. This hub would serve as a focal point for research, innovation, and capacity building, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in sustainable water management while ensuring that local communities benefit from cutting-edge solutions.
Asian Water: As the new MWA President, what are the key initiatives or priorities you hope to champion during your tenure?
Mohamad Hairi: I have two primary priorities for my tenure. First, strengthening MWA’s secretariat to ensure our association can effectively support members amid the rapidly evolving water services landscape in Malaysia and the region. We need a robust institutional foundation to serve our growing membership and influence policy effectively.
Second, successfully hosting the IWA World Water Congress 2028 in Kuching, Sarawak. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Malaysian innovation and leadership in water management to the global community. The planning and execution will require unprecedented coordination among federal and state governments, industry players, and regional partners. Our goal is to deliver a Congress that not only meets international standards but sets new benchmarks for excellence – an event that Malaysia’s water sector will be proud of for years to come.
Asian Water: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Malaysia’s water industry over the next five to ten years, particularly in terms of sustainability, innovation, and service quality?
Mohamad Hairi: My vision for Malaysia’s water industry centers on achieving sustainable, climate-resilient water services. Specifically, we must meet our 28.8% NRW target by 2030 – a goal we’ve revised multiple times since 2011, which underscores both its difficulty and importance. Success here is non-negotiable for meeting growing demand as our country develops.
Beyond NRW, we face the convergence of three critical pressures: increasing water scarcity, unpredictable climate change impacts and surging demand from data centres and semiconductor manufacturing. Our response must be multi-faceted: accelerating innovation in water reuse and recycling, investing in climate-adaptive infrastructure, implementing smart water management technologies, and fostering a culture of water conservation among all users.
I envision a Malaysian water sector that by 2035 is recognised regionally as a leader in sustainable water management – where service quality is excellent, utilities are financially sustainable, and we’ve demonstrated that economic development and water security can advance together.