The Kedah government has resorted to charging various parties for water resources after running out of ideas on how to generate revenue for the state.

Deputy chairman of Kedah Umno liaison body, Mukhriz Mahathir said since their first day in office, the Kedah government of PAS, PKR and DAP said they wanted to obtain revenue via water and timber resources.

"This clearly shows that the Kedah government is only able to get revenue via existing sources and does not generate new resources for development.

"We lost four years and the people can give BN a chance to put the state on par with other progressive states," he told reporters while attending an Education Seminar and National Down Syndrome Family Day 2012 at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar today.

After charging Penang for raw water, the Kedah government wants to charge Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), companies and factories in Kedah, Penang and Perlis for sourcing water from rivers in the state.

Local Government, Water Supply, Water Resources and Energy Committee chairperson Phahrolrazi Zawawi who made the announcement recently said it would be effective next year.

Rubber hub

Mukhriz, who is also deputy minister of international trade and industry, said Kedah has lots of potential to be developed including Kulim Hi-Tech Park and could create a rubber hub to attract foreign investors.

"We can develop a rubber hub on 16,000 hectares of rubber plantation and attract rubber-based industries to operate in Kulim Hi-Tech."

Commenting on the government decision to allow university students to contest in 13th general election, he said it was a good development, but many things should be considered.

"Firstly, the students must have the ability and new ideas. Lack of experience is not a problem because we can expose them. If the two elements can be balanced, it will create a good leadership," he added.

- Bernama