A proposal to block the flow of the Sungai Muda between Kedah and Penang has been likened to Israel’s ‘cruelty to Palestine’.

NONE Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the suggestion by Bakar Bata assemblyperson Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (left) in Alor Setar is not only "immoral and cruel, but un-Malaysian".

Sinar Harian had quoted Ahmad Bashah as saying that the move is necessary because Kedah has rights over the raw water and no one could stop the state from making such a decision.

"It is not fair of Penang to take our water without (making) any contribution so that we can share the responsibility of preserving water resources and forest reserves. Instead, we have to bear it ourselves," he reportedly told the Kedah legislative assembly yesterday.

However, Lim said the flow of rivers is determined by God and cannot be changed according to the whims and fancies of certain quarters.

It would also go against international standards to prevent rivers from flowing into other states or countries or charging others for the usage of the water, he told a press conference today.

"How come there has never been a suggestion to prevent water from flowing to other countries but there is one for Penang?" he asked.

"We are fellow-citizens. There has never been even talk to charge us for water for the past 56 years, why now?"

azlan Penang and Kedah have been bickering over raw water supply ever since Muhkriz Mahathir (left) became the menteri besar in Kedah after the 13th general election in May.

Muhkriz has been insisting that Penang should pay for raw water from the Sungai Muda.

Penang has been resisting the demand, citing international law which does not allow states or countries to charge others for the use of its natural resources like water.

Meeting pending

Lim has previously expressed his willingness to meet Muhkriz to discuss the issue.

NONE "Whenever we meet by chance, Muhkriz says he will send me a letter soon on the meeting. I have no problems with seeing him to discuss the issue,” he said.

"Muhkriz said he will write to me when the time is appropriate, so I cannot understand why certain quarters are still questioning my willingness to meet him.

"I am willing to discuss (the matter) with him although Penang has its own views on this. Why is it that we are being asked to pay even before discussions between the two states take place?"