If Penang can pay Perak for water, they can pay Kedah, says PAS rep

 

Penang draws 80% of its water from Sungai Muda, a river that flows from Kedah into Penang’s territory in Seberang Perai. (Facebook pic)

ALOR SETAR: The Penang government was today criticised for willing to pay Perak for raw water from one of its rivers but unwilling to pay a single sen to Kedah under the same circumstances.

Hanif Ghazali (PAS-Tanjung Dawai) said Penang was also reluctant to help Kedah with its water shortfall despite getting its supply from Sungai Muda, a river that flows from Kedah into Penang’s territory in Seberang Perai.

Penang currently draws 80% of its water supply from Sungai Muda.

Kedah claims that since the river flows from its territory, Penang must pay for it.

Hanif Ghazali.

The Penang government has long disputed such a claim, saying it was drawing water from its part of the river.

Perak recently rebuffed Penang’s offer to buy raw water through a pipeline transfer from Sungai Perak, with the state government stating it wants all the water to meet its present and future demands.

“If Penang is willing to buy water from Perak, they should do the right thing. Penang has the highest water reserves in the country at 30% compared with Kedah’s 2.3%.

“Penang has so many reserves, but they have not felt Kedah’s hardship and never offered to help us keep our water supply guaranteed for future,” he said in debating the sultan’s address at the state assembly today.

Hanif said it was only fitting for Penang to pay RM50 million yearly for water drawn from Sungai Muda and RM100 million for the lease of Penang from Kedah.

He said the Kedah sultan had presented proof to the Conference of Rulers that Penang was on lease from Kedah. However, he did not elaborate further.

“The sultan has proven to the Malay rulers that Kedah rightfully owns Penang. Therefore, I urge Penang not to be shameless and pay up what is due,” he said.

Azam Abd Samad (PAS-Sungai Limau) interjected, saying that the Kedah government should give Penang an ultimatum to pay up within a set time or face higher water and lease payment demands.

Hanif agreed, saying: “I agree. We have done well for Kedahans by bringing in a lot of investments and more. But what has Penang given to Kedah?” - FMT