GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Water Supply Corp (PBAPP) has urged the environment and water minister to focus on channelling federal aid to conserve the Ulu Muda and Sg Muda water catchment areas instead of imposing that Penang pay Kedah for raw water.
In a statement, today, PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was mistaken following the latter’s earlier remark that Penang is morally obligated to provide compensation to Kedah for extracting water from Sg Muda, for which both states share riparian boundary rights.
“It is the job of the environment and water resources minister to secure federal funds from the federal government to conserve Ulu Muda and Sg Muda instead of trying to force Penang to pay Kedah.
“He is a federal minister, and his salary is paid by the federal government while his ministry has access to federal funds.
“He should be aware that the people and businesses in Penang pay billions of ringgit in federal taxes to the federal government every year.
“Penang accounted for an estimated RM94.7 billion in gross domestic product contribution and an estimated RM10.5 billion in federal tax revenue in 2019.”
On the other hand, Jaseni explained that the Penang government had tabled a 2022 state budget with a projected deficit of RM449.8 million.
“As such, asking Penang to pay Kedah for raw water is akin to an act of trying to squeeze water from a stone.
“If the minister feels strongly that Kedah should be compensated to conserve Ulu Muda, he should focus on federal compensation for Kedah. It is, after all, his job, and his responsibility,” he added.
“As far as PBAPP is concerned, we fully support the provision of federal government funds to Kedah for the sustainable and long-term conservation of Ulu Muda and Sg Muda.
“However, it is up to the minister to get the job done.” – The Vibes, September 5, 2022
