Penang owes Kedah so much

The Sun (Archived June 2004)

BEFORE the 1970s, Penang island’s drinking water was sourced from within the island while Seberang Perai sourced its water from the Muda River. The Muda River has its source in the hinterlands of Kedah but discharges into the sea on the borders between Seberang Prai Utara and Kedah.

“Hence, for Penang, it seems the water has always been there for the taking,” says Malaysian Water Association president Datuk Syed Muhammad Shahabudin. Since the early 70s, Penang island found that demand had outgrown supply from within the island so it began getting some of its drinking water source from the mainland, i.e the Muda River.

“When demand for water from the Muda River escalated, there was talk about charging Penang for the water but the talk fizzled out after a while. “Besides, Penang has always held that it has a right over the water as the river flows along the borders of Penang.” Water demand from the Muda River has increased drastically over the years. The water source is used mainly for irrigation of padi fields in Kedah and Penang and for domestic and industrial consumption.

Syed Muhammad says it is quite logical for Kedah to charge Penang for the water it is using considering the amount of money and work the state has to spend in ensuring adequate and quality supply, not only for its own use but for Penang.

“Kedah ensures that the river water is regulated and there is enough stored to be released during a drought. “If nothing is done in the upper reaches, the water may not be enough to reach Penang during the dry season. So in a way, Kedah is providing a service to Penang by regulating the water in the upstream in order for water to reach Penang,” says Syed Muhammad.

He also believes that one reason Penang is able to keep its water tariffs is because it does not have to spend so much on operating or maintaining water infrastructures like dams in the upper reaches. It should not be forgotten that Penang was once part of Kedah. Kedah ceded Penang island in 1796 and Province Wellesley (now known as Seberang Perai) to the British in 1800 for a sum of 10,000 Spanish dollars a year.

Today, a token sum of RM10,000 is paid annually by the state government to Kedah.

It is "good" to know that our subsidy mentality is still alive and healthy!


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