Expert questions how Kedah would use any water compensation from Penang

 

Penang, Kedah and Perlis rely heavily on Sungai Muda, which runs from the Ulu Muda forest reserve, for their water supply. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: An academic is wondering if the Kedah government would use the compensation Penang pays it for water drawn from Sungai Muda to preserve a vital catchment area for the northern region.

During a panel discussion organised by Forum Air Malaysia this evening, International Islamic University Malaysia’s Zaki Zainuddin questioned whether or not a mechanism to charge another state for the purpose of water catchment preservation even exists at the moment.

“You may have the mechanism to charge, but does it really get translated into water catchment preservation?

“Both sides have their points, but how do we translate that into something that is meaningful and tangible in terms of water catchment preservation?”

Zaki said that it was understandable that Kedah wanted to charge Penang for raw water supply, as the majority of the Sungai Muda river basin originated from Kedah.

“They (Kedah) may need the funds in order to maintain Sungai Muda itself, for ecosystem services and to maintain the quality of water. That is their justification as to why they want to charge Penang,” he added.

Another panellist, K Kalithasan, who is a coordinator at the Global Environment Centre, said the two states can solve the conflict but negotiations must prioritise public interest.

“The federal government should step in to moderate and invite both parties to discuss and find an amicable resolution,” he said.

Last month, it was announced that Kedah plans to build Takungan Air Pinggiran Sungai (TAPS), with 14 tanks, each 20m to 30m deep and up to a kilometre wide, along Sungai Muda.

Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, in announcing the project, told Penang that it should “be ready” for the likelihood of drawing just sludge or mud from its end of Sungai Muda if it refuses to compensate Kedah for water drawn from the river.

Penang had reiterated that it was drawing water from the river which flowed into its borders and is mulling legal action to stop the TAPS project from threatening its water supply from the river, which supplies the needs of 80% of its population.

Penang draws raw water from Sungai Muda which flows into its territory in Kepala Batas and treats its water in Butterworth. - FMT