The DAP man pointed out that Penang has come to Kedah’s aid by dispatching personnel and a water tanker to assist several areas in the state currently hit by water shortage.
He said 25 personnel from Penang’s water authority were mobilised under the 60th Royal Water Engineers Regiment (RAJD) to supply treated water as well as lay and repair pipes from March 21 to April 5.
“It is abundantly clear that Sanusi, despite his big talk of punishing Penang with muddy water, has abandoned the people in his state who suffer water shortage.
“If good sense prevails, as a result of this humanitarian gesture by Penang, Sanusi should stop provoking Penang. In fact, he should wave the olive branch towards Penang.
“Let us see whether the current drought in Kedah leading to water shortage can knock some sense into Sanusi’s head,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Ramasamy said Penang was able to come to Kedah’s aid as it possessed a well-managed water establishment.
Last Wednesday, Kedah revealed plans to build 14 water tanks along Sungai Muda, together with barrages that would slow down water flow at the end of the river that empties into Penang waters. Penang depends on the river to satisfy 80% of its water needs.
Sanusi, in announcing the project, told Penang that it should “be ready” for the likelihood of drawing just sludge or mud from its end of Sungai Muda if it refuses to compensate Kedah for water drawn from the river.
He said the water tanks were needed to conserve water for padi irrigation and allow enough supply of water for Kedahans during the dry season.
On Friday, the National Water Services Commission, which falls under the purview of the environment and water ministry, expressed its support for Kedah’s plans, saying it was a good idea as it would conserve excess water from rainfall to be used during drier periods.
SPAN chief executive officer Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman said Kedah’s plan was essentially a “downstream storage” plan, where it will capture a large volume of water in tanks during the wet season.