SYNOPSIS

The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) is the regulatory authority overseeing water supply and sewerage services in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan. This presentation highlights SPAN’s mandate under the Water Services Industry Act2006 Act 655) and its pivotal role in driving a sustainable, reliable, and affordable water services industry through a holistic, transparent, and sustainable approach. The presentation outlines the evolution of Malaysia’s water reform - from fragmented, state - controlled systems to a unified regulatory framework - and the success of the asset-light model involving PAAB. Key achievements include strengthened governance, improved service coverage, performance monitoring, and award-winning public outreach.

With water security and sewerage efficiency facing challenges such as high non-revenue water (34.3%), aging infrastructure, underutilized sewerage systems, water resources scarcity and pollution, which are further exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change impacts, SPAN is focused on data-driven regulation guided by integrated water resources management principles, ESG adoption, tariff reform, and capacity building to ensure sustainable development of the nation’s water sector. The presentation also explores how SPAN can contribute regionally through advisory and technical collaboration. This session is a call to engineers and stakeholders to support SPAN’s transformation agenda and elevate Malaysia’s water sector to global standards.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Y.Bhg Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir Bin Mohd Din, FASc

Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir Mohd Din is a highly distinguished engineer with over 40 years of experience in Malaysia’s water and sewerage sectors. His expertise spans strategic planning, wastewater treatment, environmental management, green technology, and operational cost optimization. He has led major initiatives that strengthen infrastructure efficiency and regulatory governance in Malaysia and abroad. A graduate of UiTM and the University of Strathclyde, UK, Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir is professionally registered with BEM, MICE (UK), and ACPE. His career includes leadership roles such as Chief Executive Officer of Indah Water Konsortium (2009–2016) and Chief Operating Officer at Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (2007–2009), where he played pivotal roles in shaping national asset management and sewerage reforms. As Chairman of SPAN, appointed in May 2025, he steers Malaysia’s water services regulatory direction—advocating sustainable practices, stakeholder engagement, and industry-wide transformation. He has been instrumental in aligning Malaysia’s water sector policies with international benchmarks.

He also served as President of The Malaysian Water Association (2017–2021), President of ENSEARCH (2024/25), and Network Manager of Aquajaring (SEA Region), while chairing the Malaysian Water Academy (2017–2021). His roles include advisory and academic appointments with Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), UiTM, and the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir chairs IR Water 4.0 under the Water Sector Transformation Plan (WST 2040), a key national initiative by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. His contributions to CIDB committees and national cost optimization frameworks further demonstrate his influence in interdisciplinary engineering leadership.

Notable Achievements:
•   Conferred the title ‘Datuk’ in 2011 (DMSM)
•   Golden Globe Tigers Leadership Award (2016)
•   Listed among the “50 Most Impactful Leaders in Water & Water Management” (2018)

Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir continues to inspire excellence through his dedication to sustainable water resource development, professional capacity-building, and long-term strategic planning.