PUTRAJAYA: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor should refrain from spreading untrue stories, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
“What he claimed (about ongoing water issues in Sungai Bakap, Penang) was seditious in nature, racist and untrue.
“He has been talking without facts. This is not a good attitude.
“He is problematic,” Fahmi claimed at a press conference at his office here on Wednesday (June 12).
Fahmi had been asked about Sanusi's remarks concerning the ongoing water issues in the area when launching Perikatan Nasional’s machinery for the Sungai Bakap by-election on Saturday (June 8).
Sanusi, who is Perikatan election director, criticised the Penang government, alleging that the water issues in Sungai Bakap persisted because of what he described as “discrimination”.
Sanusi questioned the disparity in water supply with Tanjung in George Town, saying it was because Sungai Bakap was a "Tok Lebai" area, a term commonly used for PAS supporters.
He also invited Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to negotiate with him to buy excess treated water from the Lubuk Buntar water treatment plant in Kulim.
Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid then said the offer was a by-election gimmick, and advised him to prioritise resolving the state's water supply issues before considering selling the resource to Penang.
This was because Kedah has no water reserve margin, Mahdzir said.
Sanusi's office then issued a statement saying that there would be a surplus of water to sell after the treatment plant is upgraded in September.
