ALOR STAR – Kedah is still demanding for payment from the Penang government for charges on the raw water drawn from Sg Muda to the island.
Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said in this regard, the state government intends to charge 10 sen for every cubic metre of raw water consumed, but is ready to negotiate with the Penang government on the price.
“We want payment for charges, not any other kind of contribution or compensation,” he told reporters here today.
He said this in response to Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s statement that it will be good if Penang, which benefitted a lot from the raw water, could contribute financially to Kedah, which has spent on water catchment areas to ensure that both states’ water resources are guaranteed.
On another matter, Sanusi said he could not give any assurance that illegally built structures, including houses of worship, will not be demolished, as it is against the law.
“Building a structure on land belonging to other parties (without permission) is an offence under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).”
On Monday, a coalition of non-governmental organisations urged Sanusi to give his assurance that the Kedah government will stop demolishing Hindu temples in the state and instead relocate them, if necessary.
Earlier this month, the Alor Star City Council demolished the Sri Raja Muniswarar Temple in Kuala Kedah as it was built on land belonging to the state government. – Bernama, December 23, 2020
