Ulu Muda logging threatens water supply to 4 mil people, Kedah told

Logging in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve would put at risk the water supply for some 4.2 million people, a youth environmental initiative told the Kedah state government.

MyHutan said this will affect users in Perlis, Kedah, and Penang.

"About 70 percent of Perlis' and 96 percent of Kedah's raw water comes from Ulu Muda," it said, adding that more than 80 percent of the raw water extracted by Penang's water concessionaire is from Sungai Muda which originates from the Ulu Muda forest complex.

Previously, Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state government is facing RM1 billion in compensation claims from 40 logging companies. He later revised the figure to RM1.5 billion.

This includes 131 concessions of 22,098 hectares in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, which were granted by PAS which was in power between 2008 and 2013, but suspended after Pakatan Harapan became the federal government.

PAS has since wrested control of the state as part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition and is mulling to compensate logging companies with replacement logging concessions.

MyHutan said that Ulu Muda is a biodiversity hotspot and is home to 112 mammalian species including the totally protected Asian elephant, protected samba deer, Malayan tapir, Malayan sun bear, and clouded leopard.

As such, the youth group wants Putrajaya, Kedah, Penang, and Perlis to explore a feasible and effective solution to the logging concession claims.

"Logging in Ulu Muda has effects that transcend state boundaries. It is important for all parties to take collective responsibility in protecting the remaining forest and to restrict future logging activities," they said.

They added that the federal government must finance forest conversation, with a long term solution that can be a win-win for both environmental protection and economic development.

Sanusi’s predecessor, Mukhriz Mahathir, previously disputed the RM1 billion figure, stating that no company had made such claims, and the outstanding issues were already resolved and only needed to be implemented. - Mkini