GEORGE TOWN, July 11 -- The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) insisted today that a major portion of the Ulu Muda rainforests in Kedah is still not protected as a water catchment area despite being gazetted as "permanent reserve forests".

PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said only 16 per cent of the Ulu Muda rainforests, about 17,025ha, was gazetted as "water catchment forests" under Section 10 (1) of the National Forestry Act 1984 (NFA).

"This means 84 per cent of the rainforests in Ulu Muda are not protected as water catchment areas for the benefit of 4.2 million people living in Perlis, Kedah and Penang," he said.

He said the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources confirmed that 106,418 ha of rainfore...