A PAKATAN Harapan assemblyman voiced his support for the Kedah government to charge Penang for raw water obtained from Sungai Muda.

State opposition member Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi (Alor Mengkudu-PH) said the demand was reasonable as Kedah had to bear the cost of maintaining the river.

“It is reasonable for Penang to pay a fee to Kedah. We need to preserve the forest (rain catchment area) and the river needs to be taken care of, so we bear all these costs.

“But I am aware there is no allocation from a legal standpoint to impose charges,” he said when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address by Kedah ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah at the Kedah assembly in Alor Star today.

He also brought up questions about the status of a lawyers’ panel appointed by the state government last year to deal with the claims.

Phahrolrazi said the raw water fees demanded from Penang was necessary as the Kedah people had to pay their water bills to enjoy supply obtained from Sungai Muda.

“Kedah folk have to pay water charges to Syarikat Air Darul Aman, but all of a sudden others take water without payment, so what happened to the legal panel?” he asked.

The state government had previously submitted a written demand to Penang over RM50 million in annual raw water charges after Penang Water Supply Corporation obtained water supply from Sungai Muda.

Penang, however, has not entertained the claim, with the chief minister saying the use of water by Penang was from the river that was on its side of the state borders, in line with international laws and rights. – Bernama, March 14, 2023.