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KUALA LUMPUR: PAS is backtracking on the water dispute between Kedah and Penang, with Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man saying Penang is “encouraged” to pay for water it draws from a common river source .
This is a downfall from Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s toughest posture when he threatened, albeit jokingly, to divert the river and cut off the supply to Penang.
Calling the Kedah government’s decision not to carry out any extraction of rare earth elements (REE) in the water catchment areas in the state as a “great sacrifice”, Tuan Ibrahim suggested that Penang compensate them for it.
He said this in response to a question from Chow Kon Yeow (PH-Tanjong) in Dewan Rakyat today about the ministry’s measures to preserve and prevent any contamination in the water catchment areas in the Ulu Muda forest reserve.
“After the great sacrifice of the Kedah government, it would be nice if Penang could contribute financially to Kedah.
“Due to its sacrifice in not mining in water catchment areas, it ensures that the states have water supply,” said the vice president of PAS.
Tuan Ibrahim acknowledged that Ulu Muda was a crucial catchment area for both Kedah and Penang, adding that Sanusi had already ensured that no catchment area will be affected by REE mining.
He said his ministry welcomed Kedah’s commitment to protecting watersheds, and expressed hope that the state and Penang can reach a win-win solution to the two states’ water dispute.
Chow, who is also Penang’s chief minister, said that he will maintain the guarantee made by Sanusi to ensure that the supply of raw water can be maintained for 4.2 million citizens in Kedah, Perlis and Penang.
