Kedah’s ongoing tension with Penang over water issues has taken another turn, as Kedah DAP secretary Teh Swee Leong suggested that the latest remarks from Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor may have been aimed at steering attention away from the state’s unresolved challenges. Teh argued that Kedah is currently grappling with a long list of stalled initiatives first proposed under Sanusi’s administration, and that raising disputes with a neighbouring state only diverts public focus.
He said the situation reflects a familiar political tactic — when pressure mounts, leaders may find it easier to pick on opponents who may not always respond directly. According to him, the current climate in Kedah has been particularly tense following the PAS-led government’s move to raise quit rent rates, a decision flagged as burdensome for residents in several areas.
Teh urged the state government to prioritise actual development instead of entangling Kedah in unnecessary disputes affecting other parts of the country. He said meaningful progress would only be possible if the state focused on issues within its control and ensured previously announced projects were carried through.
Amid the political friction, Teh voiced support for the proposed establishment of the Ulu Muda Basin Authority (UMBA), which aims to safeguard and manage the critical water catchment areas in the northern region. The Ulu Muda basin, located across Baling and Sik, supplies almost 80% of water needs in Perlis and Penang, and about 70% for Kedah. With Sungai Muda flowing directly from this area, he believes that structured management under UMBA would benefit all northern states.
The proposal, initially raised by Perbadanan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) chairman Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa, was described by Teh as economically sound. He said that with better management, Kedah could potentially generate greater revenue from water supply to the region and channel the earnings back into developing the state.
Teh, who also serves as assemblyman for Kota Darul Aman, said it was time for Kedah to view itself through the broader lens of northern regional development rather than functioning in isolation. He noted that Penang’s rapid economic expansion continues to create job opportunities for residents from Kedah and Perlis, an example of how interconnected growth can uplift the entire region.
He emphasised that cooperation, not conflict, is the more productive path — and that Kedah’s progress depends on leadership that focuses on its own responsibilities instead of creating external distractions.
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