Sanusi rejects regional water body, says sovereignty at stake

 

The Ulu Muda basin provides water to some 4.2 million people in Perlis, Penang, and Kedah. (Facebook pic)

ALOR SETAR: Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Md Nor has shot down a proposed regional authority to manage water resources in Ulu Muda, saying it would impinge on the state’s sovereignty and land rights.

Sanusi said the proposed authority was a form of interference in Kedah’s rights over land matters, especially forests.

The idea of an Ulu Muda river basin authority was mooted by Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy.

He said it could conserve, manage and protect the river basin, which provides water for 4.2 million people in Kedah (96% of its water supply), Penang (80%), and Perlis (70%).

Sanusi said Penang officials should not make demands by expecting others to sacrifice their resources.

“Nobody has the right to interfere in other states’ sovereignty, especially on territorial affairs, let alone state affairs. These are the basic matters in modern politics.

“The land, water resources, river basin, airspace, minerals, forests, rivers everything in Kedah belongs to the state. We Kedahans will protect our sovereignty until the end at whatever cost,” he told FMT.

Sanusi said the 1963 Malaysia Agreement states matters related to land are strictly under the purview of states.

When asked if Kedah should concede for the sake of the people in the northern region, Sanusi said those asking for it, especially from Penang, should not give lip service and expect others to sacrifice themselves without anything in return.

He said 1,100 million litres of Ulu Muda water per day goes to Penang compared to just 800 million litres to Kedah. “Yet, they refuse to pay a single sen for the water they use.

“Don’t just act smart by demanding sacrifices from others and making a profit out of one’s sacrifice,” he said.

Sanusi said Kedah had sacrificed its revenue in preserving Ulu Muda, which in turn is used to irrigate padi fields that produce 43% of rice for local consumption.

The menteri besar had previously demanded an annual sum of RM100 million for the care of the Ulu Muda forest, after Penang officials made repeated demands for the jungles not to be logged. - FMT