The aide had accused Chow Kon Yeow of lying to the Penang assembly that Kedah never made monetary claims for water drawn from Sungai Muda and the protection of the riverine’s associated forests.

Today, Chow’s political secretary, Teh Lai Heng clarified that the chief minister had merely said Kedah never claimed RM100 million from Putrajaya to preserve the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve.

The reserve is where Sungai Muda originates upstream, flowing through Penang’s territory. In turn, Penang draws water from the river to supply 80% of its 1.7 million population.

In a statement, Teh said Penang had received requests from Kedah amounting to RM150 million.

“RM100 million was to maintain the forest reserve and the other RM50 million for water taken from the river,” he said.

He said while Penang respects Kedah’s stand on the issues, it would not pay anything to Kedah.

Teh said the water taken from the river was within Penang territory hence, it was free, while the payment for the upkeep of forests should be pursued at the federal level.

“If Kedah wants to take this to court, we are ready to take the necessary action.”

Sanusi’s press secretary Muhamad Mat Yakim said Kedah has been asking for payments for water drawn from Sungai Muda since 2014.

In a commentary published by Berita Harian today, he said Chow’s claim that the menteri besar did not make any monetary demands — even during a recent menteris besar-chief ministers conference – was a “lie”.

Muhamad said Penang ought to pay up because it takes over 1.1 million cubic litres of water (mld) daily from Sungai Muda, compared with Kedah’s 800 mld. He said Penang should therefore be responsible for the upkeep of the forests.

“They (Penang) are not only ignoring Kedah’s diplomatic approach on this, but instead have resorted to slandering the state in the media.”