GEORGE TOWN - The slow-moving muddy Sungai Muda that defines Penang s northern boundary with Kedah belie the growing spat between the two northern states in water-stressed Malaysia.
Kedah s rambunctious Chief Minister, Mr Muhammad Sanusi Mohd Nor, has promised to build enough blockades on the Kedah side of the river that will deprive Penang of its main source of raw water unless it pays annual compensation for drawing water from Sungei Muda. I can ask the villagers to put sandbags to dam the river at Pinang Tunggal… We will redirect Sungai Muda to somewhere else. Where will you (Penang) get your water from then? Mr Muhammad Sanusi warned recently in a worsening public spat between the two states, referring to a key intersection of the river between them.
NINETEEN chemical barrels were found on Sungai Langat river reserve land in Taman Sri Reko, Kajang, Selangor.
Thirteen were 160l barrels believed to contain solvent while six others were 5l barrels believed to contain thinner.
However, no traces of the chemicals were found in the water body close to the site.
State environment, green technology, tourism and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said residents nearby spotted the barrels a few days ago and reported the matter to Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
The area was an illegal waste dumping site which had been cleared, he said, and possibly used as a chemical dumping ground now.