From P Ramasamy

Environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has basically run out of ideas in talking about the future needs of water in the country.

He seems to be echoing the words of current Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Md Nor that Penang is obliged to pay for the water drawn from Sungei Muda, which has its source in the water catchment area of Ulu Muda.

Tuan Ibrahim said that even though Penang draws water from its side of Sungei Muda, the source is in Kedah.

Thus, by not contributing to the preservation of the Ulu Muda catchment area, the responsibility has fallen on the Kedah state government.

The PAS deputy president also said that Kedah, in order to prioritise the water catchment area, has to forgo the extraction of timber, whereby losing a valuable source of income.

I am flabbergasted over the flimsy argument made by Tuan Ibrahim. I certainly did not expect him to come out with such an illogical argument.

Whether Penang sources its water supply from Sungei Muda, with its origins in the hills of Ulu Muda or not, the water catchment area has to be protected in the long-term interests of the people in the northern states.

It is no more a choice between extraction of timber or saving the sources of water supply.

Tuan Ibrahim cannot pretend that he is not in the know about the proposals by the Penang state to the federal government for the establishment of a northern water authority called the Ulu Muda Water Authority.

If such an authority is established through the intervention of the federal government, and the environment and water ministry, then the long-term water needs of states like Perlis, Kedah and Penang can be addressed.

Penang, along with Perlis and Kedah, will be prepared to make a financial commitment to ensure the protection of the Ulu Muda water catchment in the form of the establishment of such a regional water authority.

Why is Tuan Ibrahim quiet on this matter of regional importance?

Why is his ministry dragging its feet in adopting a long-term solution by the provision of a water safety net?

Why is Tuan Ibrahim intent on only echoing the words of the current Kedah MB?

Penang simply cannot make a financial commitment without a long-term strategy and solution for the water needs in the three northern states.

Currently, it enjoys the riparian rights of withdrawing water from its side of Sungei Muda.

In fact, the boundary between Kedah and Penang runs through the middle of the river.

In fact, due to the meandering of the river, Penang might have lost some ground to Kedah over the years.

There is no quarrel about the source of Sungei Muda, but Penang is not the sole beneficiary.

The recent Baling floods caused interruptions to water supply to parts of Penang as well.

The resolution of water supply to the northern states needs an integrated regional approach.

It is all right for Tuan Ibrahim if he has no new ideas to address water woes. But he should stop parroting the same old song of Sanusi.

Penang will have a financial and moral obligation if and when this regional northern water authority is established.

P Ramasamy is a Penang deputy chief minister.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.