MORE than four million consumers in three states will suffer the consequences of logging in Ulu Muda’s rainforests, said Penang Water Supply Corporation.

PBAPP chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinsa said nearly 74% of the rainforests in Ulu Muda was gazetted for timber production, which was supposed to serve as a crucial water catchment area for the northern region.

The logging of the rainforests in Ulu Muda is like “cutting off one own’s leg”, he said, highlighting the fact that more than 80% of Penang’s raw water, 96% of Kedah’s raw water and 70% of Perlis’ raw water supply was sourced from rainwater collected in Ulu Muda’s rainforests.

“Not only 4.09 million people from the three states will be affected, but also a total of RM115 billion worth of economic activities will be lost, which is also 10% of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP),” he said during a public talk in Wawasan Open University today.

All logging activities in Ulu Muda should be banned and to ensure legal protection covering the entire Greater Ulu Muda rainforest area spanning a total of 163,103ha.

Jaseni also hoped that Perak could come to an agreement with Kedah and Penang regarding the water transfer plan from Sg Perak.

He stated that Penang’s main source of water, Sg Muda, would only be able to supply Penang’s demand for water until 2025, therefore, the Penang government had sought to extract raw water from Sg Perak since 2009. – Bernama, October 2, 2018.