‘TAPS will endanger Penang folk’s livelihoods’

GEORGE TOWN: Kedah’s plan to build 14 water tanks along Sungai Muda to ensure enough water for Kedahans and padi farmers along the river is ill-conceived, unlawful and will endanger the livelihoods of Penangites and the state’s economy, said Water Watch Penang (WWP).

Its president, Professor Dr Chan Ngai Weng, said though Kedah’s plan appeared to ensure water security to Kedahans and its padi farmers, the plan would drastically reduce water supply in Penang as the quantity and quality of water flowing into Penang from Sungai Muda would be significantly reduced.

“Hence, this outrageous plan has been described as an ‘act of war’ and a form of political vengeance ‘to throttle Penang’s water supply’ by some politicians or leaders.

“As the Kedah menteri besar and chairman of Syarikat Air Darul Aman, two highly acclaimed and respected positions, the menteri besar must speak, act and carry himself with the highest respect and responsibility.

“He must negotiate, work out and propose workable plans and solutions with his counterparts in other states when issues arise, and not approach anything in a confrontational way.

“All words, actions and suggestions by the menteri besar must not only be good and beneficial to the people of Kedah, but also must not harm, endanger or cause hazards to anyone or any state,” he said yesterday.

On Wednesday, the Kedah government announced that it would implement a riverside water catchment project that would be able to stabilise Sungai Muda’s water level in times of drought.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the project, known as Takungan Air Pinggiran Sungai (TAPS), would ensure Kedah had enough water supply to see through the dry season.

He said new barrages would also be built to stabilise the river water level to ensure water concessionaire Syarikat Air Darul Aman’s pumps would not be rendered inoperable when water levels drop.

TAPS would kick off some time this year. As such, Sanusi cautioned that Penang had to be ready for this.

This prompted Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to say that Penang would submit an objection to the federal government and/or initiate legal action if Kedah implemented a project that threatened water supply in the state.