Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said this was because the raw water belonged to the state government as it was kept at Muda Dam before being released and channelled to the river for the consumption of the people in the state.

He said Penang had simply treated the raw water and raked in hefty profit by selling it for domestic and industrial use, while the Kedah government had to spend money to maintain the dam.

“Prior to this, we have asked the Penang government to pay for every litre of raw water they took from us, but they refused to do so.

“So now, the state government is asking the Federal Government to give an appropriate amount of compensation, which could be used to maintain the dam and water treatment plants in the state for the benefit of the people,” he told a press conference after delivering his 100-Days-As-Menteri Besar message at Wisma Darul Aman here.

He said the state government would continue seeking a solution to the issue as raw water supply should be a source of income for the state.

– BERNAMA