GEORGE TOWN, April 25 -- Penang pressed the federal government today to gazette Ulu Muda as a water catchment area in order to protect it and water security for the northern states.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang, Kedah and Perlis all rely heavily on Sungai Muda as a raw water source, making it vital to protect it from harm.

"It is important that the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry assist by gazetting Ulu Muda so that this water catchment is not destroyed," he said in a press conference after launching a Water Security Conference today.

He said 85 per cent of Penang's water supply came from Sungai Muda, which also supplies 96 per cent and 50 per cent of raw water to Kedah and Perlis, respectively.

Chow said...