Logging activities in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve are not adversely affecting the quality of the water in Sungai Muda, Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah says.

He said the logging area was for developing agricultural land and, more importantly, it was approved by the Kedah Forestry Department.

In fact, Bashah said, water quality in the area was monitored by the Kedah Water Resources Authority (LSAK) and it (logging) does not at all threaten the quality of water flowing into Sungai Muda, which was also used in Penang.

"Maybe, it is a little murky due to land development in three months but it is not serious. The heavy rains also contribute to incidents of murky river water.

"I have asked the Kedah Forestry Department and LSAK to explain to PBAPP (Penang Water Supply Corporation) and the Penang Government on the matter soon," Bashah said after a ceremony to hand over contributions at Sekolah Menengah Agama Taufikiah Khairiah Al-Halimiah, Padang Lumat, Yan, yesterday.

He said this in response to a statement by PBAPP, demanding that federal agencies take proactive measures to stop logging at the Ulu Muda forest reserve which affected the water resource.

PBAPP chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinisa, in the statement on Monday, said the forest area was the main water catchment area for Sungai Muda, which was the main raw water supply for southern Kedah and Penang, and that logging would only result in serious problems in terms of water supply.

Bashah also urged Penang and its agencies to cooperate with the Kedah government over numerous matters to ensure issues arising could be amicably solved.

Earlier, he handed over annual aid worth RM1.7 million to 11 Sekolah Agama Rakyat (Islamic religious schools) in the state to help students staying in hostels and for the schools' development.

- Bernama