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'Penang needs to pay'

 
 

NO MORE FREE WATER: Income derived to be used for Kedah's development, says MB

ALOR STAR: THE Pas-led Kedah government is planning to charge DAP-run Penang government for its water supply.

 
 

This was confirmed by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, who was adamant over a proposal to charge Penang for raw water from the state.

 
 

Azizan also confirmed that a discussion over the matter had taken place between state water concessionaire, Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd, and its counterpart, PBA Holdings Bhd, of which Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is chairman and Pas deputy president Mohammad Sabu, a director.

 
 

"Our officers have already proposed and discussed the matter with their counterparts from Penang.

 
 

"The income from the charge on raw water can be used for development purposes in Kedah," he said after the morning session of the state assembly's sitting yesterday.

 
 

On Tuesday, Azizan told the house that the state government was considering charging Penang for raw water when he tabled the 2013 Kedah Budget.

 
 

Asked on a statement by Lim that he was unaware over the Kedah government's proposal, Azizan said he had informed the latter about it over the telephone on Wednesday.

 
 

"Maybe, the water authorities in Penang have yet to present the matter to him (Guan Eng)."

State Industry, Investment and Housing Committee chairman Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (Pas-Anak Bukit) said a government-to-government discussion over the proposal between the two Pakatan Rakyat states would take place next month in Penang.

 
 

He said state Local Government, Water Supply, Water Resources and Energy Committee chairman Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi would lead the delegation from Kedah to work out the charges.

 
 

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that Penang Water Supply Corporation general manager Jaseni Maidinsa said the corporation had yet to receive a letter from the Kedah government on the proposed charges.

Jaseni said should the Kedah government go ahead with the move, it would be violating "riparian water rights" which was an international law that prohibited anyone from imposing payments for naturally flowing water.

 
 

Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya said if the matter was not resolved quickly, it could lead to Penang people having to pay more for treated water.