PARLIAMENT | Tap water in Malaysia is safe to drink as it has been processed by treatment plants, claims Water, Land, and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

"Water from pipes can be drank all over Malaysia, no problem.

"If there is a problem, it is a local issue, not that of the water treatment plants.

"100 percent of what comes out from water treatment plants is safe to drink," Xavier told the Dewan Rakyat today.

When asked by Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) whether he drank pipe water, the minister, who used to practice dentistry before politics, replied: "Yes, I drink straight from the tap."

Earlier, Xavier said Malaysians need to reduce the amount of water they use per day.

The average Malaysian, he said, uses 211 litres per day, and this should be reduced to 180 litres to ensure the country's water security.

He said that Penang used the most at 276 litres per day per individual, followed by Pahang at 260 litres, and Selangor at 180 litres.