States can learn from Australia in resolving water disputes, says minister

 

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow with natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at a joint press conference in Komtar.

GEORGE TOWN: The northern states need to learn from their Australian counterparts to make the idea for an Ulu Muda basin authority (Umba) a reality, says natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

He said prior to the formation of the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia, there were problems between the states which had “strong sentiments” about the basin idea.

“Yet those matters were (eventually) resolved. Maybe we could learn from them,” Nik Nazmi said during a joint press conference held in Komtar with Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Umba was mooted by the Penang government and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) back in 2021 to act as an authority that will oversee the Ulu Muda water catchment area, which supplies raw water to Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

The basin authority idea was opposed by Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor who said it would impinge on the state’s sovereignty and land rights.

“Discussions on the matter can be held among officials from the federal government and officials that represent the (three) state governments,” Nik Nazmi said.

“It won’t be easy but we need to look at this matter seriously in this era, where more cross-border water transfers are taking place between states.”

Nik Nazmi said that, according to the Federal Constitution, water-related matters fall under the jurisdiction of states but Putrajaya needed to look into the best mechanism in today’s situation.

On a separate matter, Chow said the Penang government had discussed with Nik Nazmi about the need to complete some “unfinished components” of the Mengkuang dam expansion project, following three water cuts in 12 months.

“There is a need for connected projects to be carried out so that the Mengkuang dam can function as a strategic dam for water supply in Penang,” Chow said.

In response, Nik Nazmi said the ministry would review the suggestions and look into how to implement Penang’s demands.

The minister also clarified the “high risk” categorisation given by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) for the dam, which was disputed by PBAPP recently.

He said SPAN’s categorisation was based on water security in Penang, not on the structural issues of the dam. - FMT