PETALING JAYA: Speculation over how Kedah might spend money paid by Penang in compensation for water drawn from Sungai Muda is pointless as the state will not be paying anything, says deputy chief minister P Ramasamy.
He said a panel discussion held by Forum Air Malaysia yesterday “adds little or no value” to the water issues.
Last month, Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced the state’s plan to build 14 water tanks along the river to conserve water for padi irrigation and as drought reserves, adding that he wanted Penang to pay for water drawn from Sungai Muda to avoid “drinking muddy water” as a result of the water tank project.
Penang relies on Sungai Muda for 80% of its water needs and it processes the raw water in Butterworth.
In a statement, Ramasamy said it is “unnecessary and uncalled for” to discuss compensation from Penang, as it implies there is an obligation for the state to pay.
“Since Penang is not going to pay, why the speculation on how Kedah might be spending the money?
“The question of payment to Kedah does not arise in the first place as Penang draws upon water from its side of the river.”
Ramasamy pointed specifically to the panel discussion, during which experts discussed whether mechanisms are in place to allow Kedah to claim compensation, and whether it could be used to fund catchment preservation in the state’s northern region.
“This discussion by a panel of ‘experts’ adds little or no value to some of the underlying issues surrounding water supply and the need to protect water catchment areas in the country,” he said.-FMT