KUALA LUMPUR – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has accused Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor of using racially charged rhetoric and exploiting water issues in Penang to stir public discontent.
Chow lambasted the Kedah menteri besar for his persistent efforts to incite rejection of the unity government, reflecting the Perikatan Nasional (PN) campaign’s divisive tactics witnessed in Sg Bakap recently.
“The (Kedah) PN and election director, my colleague, the menteri besar (Sanusi), is someone I often meet in Putrajaya for federal and state matters. He frequently incites the public, not only in Kedah but everywhere he goes.
“He plays on racial issues. I was informed that yesterday he was in Sg Bakap for the PN machinery launch. In his speech, he touched on Penang’s water issues. He questioned why water issues, shortages, or low pressure occur in Sg Bakap, a predominantly Malay area.
“Why not in Tanjong or Jelutong, for example? But we know this is not a racial issue. In January, we carried out repairs at the Sg Dua water treatment plant,” he said during the launch of the Sg Bakap unity government by-election machinery last night.
Chow clarified that nearly 95% of the state’s population, not just Sg Bakap residents, were affected by water supply disruptions due to repair works at Sg Dua last January.
“It doesn’t matter if they are Malay, Chinese, Indian, foreign nationals, or foreign investors. Everyone was affected by the repair work. When the water is restored, it doesn’t only go to Chinese homes, it reaches everyone’s homes.
“Water doesn’t avoid Malay homes and go to other houses. That’s Sanusi’s mentality, but he is popular because people enjoy hearing these nonsensical speeches. So, Sg Bakap, we need to reject religious and racial campaigns.
“In Penang, due to economic and industrial growth over the years, we face supply challenges because demand has increased sharply since our tariff rates are the lowest,” he said.
He added that the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has implemented eight projects to ensure water supply restoration by 2028 in all affected areas, including Sg Bakap.
“Kedah also faces water challenges, so take care of Kedah before accusing Penang. While certain areas in Penang are affected, overall, our water supply security is assured.
“I cannot deny that I was surprised when Sanusi came to Putrajaya recently. Previously, we argued about raw water charges. I said we take water from Penang, why should we pay?
“Although the catchment area is in Kedah, the water intake involves states using the same raw water source, governed by international laws. So, we are exercising our right to take water from Sg Muda in Penang for our state’s use,” he explained.
As PBAPP chairman, Chow emphasised his commitment to addressing the water issues in Sg Bakap.
“The second plant will be completed, but we do not avoid responsibility in discussing the water issues in Sg Bakap. If others are not brave enough to face the affected people, we are.
“We do not shirk our responsibilities. When there is a problem, we strive to find solutions, implement necessary improvement projects, and also develop projects to address traffic congestion in Penang. Many projects are approved for 2024,” he said.
Earlier, Scoop reported Sanusi mocking Penang as a developed state where residents in Nibong Tebal and Sg Bakap still do not have a water supply after six years.
Calling it embarrassing, Sanusi said it was puzzling, especially since Penang is favoured by the federal government.
Sanusi offered to sell clean water from the Lubuk Buntar water treatment plant in Bandar Baharu, Kulim. – June 10, 2024
