KUALA LUMPUR (March 24): PBA Holdings Bhd, Penang's licenced water supply operator, has taken the Kedah government to task over comments that Penang should pay Kedah for drawing raw water from the Greater Ulu Muda water-catchment area.

In a statement today, PBA CEO Jaseni Maidinsa said the catchment area was a shared enclave between both states. Jaseni said the Muda River, which courses through the catchment area, serves as a boundary between Kedah and Penang, and Penang draws raw water from the river at its own costs.

“The Muda River does not belong to Kedah. The raw water from the river does not accidentally flow into Penang’s Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant.

“The raw water needs to be pumped from the Lahar Tiang Intake through the Sungai Dua Canal. The related costs of pumping and maintenance costs are not ‘free’,” Jaseni said.

Jaseni was responding to news reports quoting Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as saying Penang should consider the Kedah government’s proposal to absorb the cost for drawing water from the catchment area.

“Penang had asked Kedah not to fell timber in water catchment areas and Penang is sourcing raw water from the river for free. As such, Penang should consider our proposal to absorb part of the costs, similar to the concept of developed nations who owe developing nations carbon credits,” Mukhriz was quoted as saying.

PBA via Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) undertakes the treatment and supply of water in Penang.

Jaseni has called for the Kedah government to seek funds from the federal government to protect the catchment area.

He said the federal government had stated that it would undertake initiatives to encourage states to gazette forests, especially water catchment areas, as protected enclaves

“As such, PBAPP is puzzled as to why Kedah seems afraid or hesitant to seek federal funds for this worthy initiative that will also preserve the natural rainforest heritage in the northern region,” he added.