‘Penang may have to use muddy water if refuses to pay for raw water from Kedah’

 

The Penang government has been reminded that it may have to resort to using muddy water if it continues with refusing to pay for raw water charges to Kedah.

Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the Kedah government would be implementing many projects that had not been announced yet but when started, this could affect water flow to Penang from Sungai Muda.

“These projects when implemented will pose a problem for them (Penang) if they don’t pay (for the raw water charges). Never mind, they can use it (for free), until the time comes when muddy water flows out, then they can use that (muddy) water,” he told reporters after chairing a State Executive Council meeting in Yan today.

He was responding to the reported statement by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow of refusing to delve further into the issue of using raw water sourced from Sungai Muda and instead choosing to defend Penang’s riparian rights in court.

Sanusi who had before this stated his willingness to face the Penang government in court over the issue, however, said the Kedah government still had room for resolving the issue through arbitration.

“The discussion process (over the water issue) may reach the court, but I am asking for cooperation from the federal government, particularly the environment and water minister, for arbitration to resolve the issue.

“If the arbitration is unsuccessful, the matter may have to be taken to court...I will even go to the edge of the world to fight over this issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanusi said a special task force would be formed to collect arrears in revenue, taxes or assessment rates that had reached RM257 million, more aggressively.

- Bernama