Harapan rep supports Kedah's efforts to demand raw water fee from Penang

A Pakatan Harapan assemblyman voiced his support for the Kedah state government to demand payments from Penang for obtaining raw water from Sungai Muda that flowed from the state.

State opposition member Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi (Harapan-Alor Mengkudu) said the demand was reasonable as Kedah had to bear the cost of maintaining the river.

“It is reasonable for Penang to pay a fee to Kedah. We need to preserve the forest (rain catchment area) and the river needs to be taken care of, so we bear all these costs.

“But I am aware there is no allocation from a legal standpoint to impose charges,” he said when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address by Kedah Sultan, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah at the Kedah state assembly in Alor Setar today.

He also brought up questions about the status of a lawyers’ panel appointed by the state government last year to deal with the claims.

Phahrolrazi (above) said the raw water fees demanded from Penang were necessary as the Kedah people had to pay their water bills to enjoy the supply obtained from Sungai Muda.

“Kedahans have to pay water charges to Syarikat Air Darul Aman... but suddenly others take water without payment, so what happened to the legal panel?” he asked.

The state government had previously submitted a written demand to Penang for over RM50 million in annual raw water charges after Penang Water Supply Corporation obtained water supply from Sungai Muda, which flows from Kedah.

Penang, however, has not entertained the claim, with the Penang chief minister saying that the use of water by Penang was from the river that was on its side of the state borders, in line with international laws and rights.

- Bernama