Kedah’s plan to ‘throttle’ Penang water supply an act of war, say leaders

 

(From left) An angry Lim Guan Eng has lashed out at Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over his water barrage plan while Charles Santiago calls it a declaration of war.

GEORGE TOWN: The Kedah government’s plan to reduce water supply to Penang by building large water tanks along Sungai Muda has been described as an “act of war” and a form of political vengeance.

Lim Guan Eng said Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s decision reeked of political vengeance against the DAP-run state while former Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago accused him of trying to sabotage the health and economy of Penangites.

Earlier today, Sanusi said 14 water tanks would be built along Sungai Muda to ensure there was enough water for Kedahans and padi farmers along the river.

About 80% of Penang’s water is extracted from the part of the river that flows in Penang territory.

“By threatening to cut water to 1.7 million Penangites, and that too coming from a fellow Malaysian such as Sanusi, makes this a clear and present danger to Penangites,” Lim said.

The DAP secretary-general said going by Sanusi’s logic that Kedah owned Sungai Muda, then Kedah should compensate Penang whenever the river burst its banks on Penang’s side.

He said the water tank project was another grandiose project, like Sanusi’s RM68 billion rare-earths elements exploration project announced earlier.

Meanwhile, Santiago, who is Klang MP, said the announcement by Sanusi was as good as declaring war against Penang.

He said SPAN must act immediately as it was its statutory duty to ensure water supply flowed freely in Penang and stop Sanusi’s plans from being carried out.

“Why is Kedah declaring war on Penang? This is effectively an act of sabotage as it would be detrimental to the safety and health of Penangites. In an emergency, the government should go pick him (Sanusi) up.

“SPAN should act as an arbitrator and not allow such a project to happen, as it would have an impact on all industries and consumers in Penang,” Santiago said, adding that the water was important for use by industries as well as for sanitation purposes.

He warned that individuals and companies could take action against Sanusi.

Santiago also said what was announced by Sanusi could be similar to the Horas, or Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System, being implemented in Selangor.

He said these raw water storage ponds were meant to catch water from a river when it burst its banks and this stored water could then be rechannelled to the river when there was a drought.

“As the menteri besar, and chairman of Syarikat Air Darul Aman, he does not know what he is talking about. Or he has been wrongly advised,” Santiago said.

FMT has reached out to Sanusi for comment. - FMT