Caught in the middle: A file photo showing the Merdeka Bridge in Bumbung Lima, Kepala Batas. On the right hand side of the Sungai Muda is Penang, while the left side is Kedah.
PETALING JAYA: The National Water Services Commission has proposed that a river basin authority be set up to oversee the management of rivers providing water to two or three states.
Its chairman Charles Santiago said for example, Sungai Muda in Kedah provided water to Kedah, Penang and Perlis.
“We are relying on a successful model already used in Australia. This is our suggestion and we have forwarded this proposal to the (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change) minister.
“This is because a river authority has an implication on the ecosystem, for example, Muda, which is influenced by timber and forests. We are proposing this as the way forward in matters where states have to share rivers,” he said in an interview.
Santiago said the commission had recently met with the stakeholders over Sungai Muda, including representatives from the state governments, water industry players, professionals and consumer groups, on June 8 and 9 following the faulty barrage incident which affected over 2.7 million consumers in Kedah and Penang.
The faulty barrage gate opening caused water to flow out of Sungai Muda after an automatic sensor failed, forcing over six million account holders in certain areas to face water supply disruption.
At that time, Santiago had also called for a separate authority to manage the Muda River Basin.
“During the consultation, both states recommended something like that (river basin authority),” he added.
Malaysia, he said, was going into a new reality, adding that the country was now looking at the El Nino, as well as the possible impacts of climate change.
“No one state can say that the water belongs to me, and never share it with anyone.
“Without a doubt, establishing a single authority requires political will and consensus among the states involved.
“If there is a willingness to cooperate and address shared challenges, a single authority can be a valuable mechanism for achieving common goals,” said Santiago.
In Australia, there is a Murray–Darling Basin Authority which is in charge of managing the Murray–Darling basin in an integrated and sustainable manner.
The Murray-Darling basin includes six of Australia’s seven longest rivers and is one of the country’s most significant agricultural areas, providing one-third of Australia’s food supply.
To reduce demand for treated water, Santiago said the use of treated wastewater, such as that practised in India and Singapore, must also be encouraged, as well as rainwater harvesting.
“We should maximise the use of wastewater for industries and keep processed water only for activities like drinking, bathing and cooking. We need to invest in expertise and piping to connect wastewater to industrial zones.
“To promote rainwater harvesting, the ministry should look into providing subsidies for companies,” he said.
All the rivers in the country, said Santiago, were still providing water but the volume had decreased over the years, for instance, Ulu Muda was now providing 7% less.
“In the long run, we don’t know the impact. We must be prepared for the long term where there may be a lack of rain over a long period, and we must start planning now,” he said.
In 2021, then secretary-general to then Environment and Water Ministry, Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang, had also proposed a Muda River Basin Authority to resolve the wrangle between Kedah and Penang over Sungai Muda.
