GEORGE TOWN - The unity government is set to step in and help resolve the ongoing dispute between Penang and Kedah over water rights.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that his ministry would reach out to both sides to broker a solution which includes establishing the proposed Ulu Muda Water Basin Authority.
He said this was in view of the fact that changes in the weather pattern would compel more sharing of natural resources such as water.
Although each state is responsible for its own supply and management, Nik Nazmi said that climate change will have an impact on water transfers and sharing between states.
The Ulu Muda Water Basin Authority’s role is to facilitate a smooth water transfer process between the northern states of Perlis, Kedah and Penang.
Ulu Muda, which is situated in Kedah, between the Baling and Sik districts, is the largest water catchment area and it supplies river water to Sg Muda, a bordering river, which both Kedah and Penang claim to have rights to.
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor had earlier said that he had instructed his legal office to initiate proceedings against Penang to empower the latter to pay raw water charges to Kedah.
Nik Nazmi told a joint press conference with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow that his ministry plans to bridge the divide with the setting up of the Ulu Muda Water Basin Authority to regulate and manage water supply up north.
"We understand even in Australia, some states had initially opposed it but eventually they realised that cross-border water transfers were inevitable.
He said that the Ulu Muda Water Basin Authority would likely use the Murray-Darling Basin Authority in Australia as a model.
On the ministry's one-day working visit to Penang, the PKR vice-president said that the meeting was eventful with positive outcomes.
Among them was to expedite the discussion of raw/treated water between Perak and Penang, to do away with the Lahar Yooi pumping station which has run its course, and to list the residue from the water treatment plants in Penang as unscheduled wastewater.
He also clarified that the Mengkuang Dam was structurally sound contrary to previous reports, as there was some confusion over the matter.
There are plans to install solar panels at the state dams to offer alternative energy sources and to expedite the completion of the combined cycle turbine gas 310 MW power generation plant in Tenaga Nasional Berhad's plant in Gelugor.
Nik Nazmi also spoke on the need to help Penang fight beach erosion along Batu Ferringhi as the coastline is an important tourism landmark.
Chow said that Penang will hold negotiations with Perak from tomorrow over the supply of treated water in view of the urgency to seek alternative supply rather than being dependent on the supply from Ulu Muda. - The Vibes, November 8, 2023.
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