ALOR STAR – Kedah Pakatan Harapan said it fully supports the state government’s efforts to claim raw water charges from Penang, but suggested using more cordial means to resolve the issue.
Its deputy chairman Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi said the claim was appropriate as Kedah had sacrificed a large portion of its forest as a water catchment area.
“But there should be better negotiation, without making it sound like a threat. It would be best to involve the federal government.
“Any party that derives water supply from this state should pay the raw water charges to the Kedah state water resources board, so Penang should do the same,” he said at a press conference here today.
Phahrolrazi said the federal government should also provide compensation to the Kedah government for conserving the state’s water resources not just for Penang, but also Perlis.
“In fact, these (raw water charges) can also be claimed from Perlis,” he added.
The Kedah government had previously made a written demand to Penang for raw water charges of RM50 million per year as Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang receives water its supply from Ulu Muda River, the source of which is in Kedah. – Bernama, January 7, 2021
