Waiting game for Penang over Sg Muda

GEORGE TOWN – It is a waiting game for the Penang government as Kedah has yet to take any tangible action over the Sg Muda raw water claims.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government will look into the matter when the claim is made officially rather than through the media.

“We will see what the Kedah state does because now it only speaks to the media and there is nothing official.

“Previously, the Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had hoped that the two states would hold discussions but it seems that Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor did not agree with the minister’s views.

“Penang offers to provide financial contributions for Kedah’s sacrifice to not explore the water catchment area in Ulu Muda, but Sanusi looks disinterested and still wants to demand raw water charges that we do not agree with,” said Chow.

Previously, the Kedah government did not rule out the possibility of bringing the issue of payment of raw water charges to court.

Sanusi hinted that he would ask for the federal government’s intervention if Penang refused to accept Kedah’s invitation to negotiate.

Kedah intended to set a price of 10 sen for every cubic meter of raw water, but was willing to negotiate with Penang on the price.

Recently, Kedah demanded that the Penang Water Supply Corporation settle a payment of RM50 million a year for Sg Muda’s raw water. – The Vibes, December 27, 2020