GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government welcomes Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s response pertaining to the Kedah government’s assurance that it will not explore the Ulu Muda water catchment area.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government welcomed the assurance given in the interest of the raw water resource, which supplies water to 4.2 million consumers in Kedah, Perlis and Penang.
“The Penang government also welcomes the minister’s efforts to hold discussions with the relevant parties to ensure the water source catchment area in Ulu Muda can be protected from any activity that could harm the highly important water source catchment area," he said in a statement today.
He also said that Penang is extracting raw water resources from Sg Ulu Muda at the state border and, therefore, the issue of compensation should be resolved by the federal government in line with international laws and rights related to water use in the country.
Yesterday, Ibrahim, during Ministerial Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, said his ministry will ensure that the Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIA) report for the exploration of rare-earth elements (REE) in Kedah will be studied thoroughly to ensure environmental sustainability.
He was also reported to have said that the Ulu Muda area is a water catchment area for three states, namely Kedah, Perlis and Penang, and the Kedah government made a huge sacrifice by not exploring the area.
Ibrahim also said that it would be good if Penang could contribute financially to Kedah, which has made sacrifices to safeguard water catchment areas to ensure the sustainability of water resources. – Bernama, December 11, 2020
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