GEORGE TOWN – Kedah’s plan to build large water tanks along Sg Muda, which will reduce supply to Penang, has been slammed by Lim Guan Eng as a means to “extort” money from the latter state.
“Clearly, Environment and Water Minister (Datuk Seri) Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is ‘ganging up’ with his PAS colleague and Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor against Penang,” said the former Penang chief minister in a statement today.
He said it is “reckless and irresponsible” of the Perikatan Nasional administration and PAS to challenge Penang’s right to draw water from Sg Muda for their own political benefit.
“For the past 64 years, no federal government has conspired with a state government to threaten the population of another state by sabotaging their water supply.
“This is divisive and will unnecessarily stoke resentment and inflame sentiments.”
Penang has a right under the federal constitution to draw water from the river, part of which flows within its borders, and supplies 80% of the total volume required by the state’s 1.8 million residents, he said.
“Sanusi should stop such bullying tactics. Paying for water drawn on Penang’s side of the border is both illegal and unconstitutional.
“First, the various agreements between both states, as well as the Kedah and Penang (Alteration of Boundary) Act 1985, have concluded the agreed altered boundaries between the northern states.
“Second, a riparian owner, whether a landowner or a state like Penang, possesses an inalienable right to use and extract when (the river) runs on the side of Penang’s border, where the course of the river cannot be artificially manipulated, altered or realigned.”
The DAP secretary-general said Penang and his party will vigorously defend the state’s right to clean water.
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has failed to uphold its statutory duty and responsibility to ensure Penang folk have uninterrupted access to such supply, he said, adding that the regulator has upset the people by disrespecting the constitution and the legal doctrine of riparian rights.
Lim’s statement is in response to a report that SPAN sees nothing wrong with Kedah’s plan to install tanks along Sg Muda, despite the state having admitted that the 14 structures, measuring 20m to 30m deep and up to 1km wide, will “throttle” supply when the river reaches Penang.
Sanusi, when announcing the proposed project, told Penang to be “ready” to get muddy water should it refuse to compensate Kedah for the water it draws from Sg Muda.
“How can SPAN continue to function as a regulator when it condones or won’t step in to prevent 1.8 million people in Penang from drinking muddy water?” said Lim. – The Vibes, March 28, 2021
