KEDAH Pakatan Harapan (PH) supports the state government’s efforts to claim raw water charges from Penang, but suggests using better and more cordial ways to resolve the issue.

Its deputy chairman, Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi said the claim was appropriate as Kedah had sacrificed a large portion of its forest as a water catchment area.

“But there should be better negotiation, without (it) sounding like a threat and it would be best to involve the federal government.

“Indeed, any party that derives water supply from this state should pay the raw water charges to the Kedah State Water Resources Board (LSANK), so Penang should do the same,” he said at a press conference, in Alor Setar, today.

Phahrolrazi said the federal government should also provide compensation to the Kedah government, which was conserving the state’s water resources not just for Penang, but also Perlis.

“In fact, this (raw water charges) could also be claimed from Perlis,” he added.

The Kedah government had previously made a written demand to Penang imposing raw water charges of RM50 million per year as Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) receives water supply from Ulu Muda River, which has its source in Kedah.

Meanwhile, Phahrolrazi said, as Opposition Leader at the Kedah State Legislative Assembly, he urged the state government to quickly resolve the water supply issue and the increase to over 40% of non-revenue water (NRW).

“The people are still facing a water supply problem. Some places do not receive good or sufficient supply, while the NRW rate is high. Hence, appropriate action must be taken,” he added. – Bernama, January 7, 2021.