ALOR STAR, March 14 — A Pakatan Harapan assemblyman voiced his support for the Kedah state government to demand payments from Penang for obtaining raw water from Sungai Muda that flowed from the state.

State opposition member, Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi (PH-Alor Mengkudu) 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 Sultan, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah at the Kedah state assembly here 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.

"Kedahans have to pay water charges to Syarikat Air Darul Aman (SADA)....but suddenly 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 (PBAPP) obtained water supply from Sungai Muda, which flows from Kedah.

Penang, however, has not entertained the claim, with Penang Chief Minister saying that 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