GEORGE TOWN – Penang can benefit from cloud seeding operations in Kedah despite its own application for similar operations yet to be approved, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said Penang, through Badan Kawal Selia Air (BKSA), has sent an application for cloud seeding to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) on July 19 and a follow-up letter on the application, but it is yet to be approved.
However, the chief minister added that the cloud seeding operations in Kedah, especially in the Ulu Muda water catchment area would help Penang should rainfall occur, which would help fill up the Muda and Beris dams.
“It would then make it easier for them (Kedah) to release the water from the dams to Muda river, where we would abstract the water from.
“That would benefit Penang should the cloud seeding in Ulu Muda become successful,” said the chief minister in a press conference at his office in Komtar here.
Chow also said Sg Muda’s water level, which was recently reported to be below 2m – that is at a critical level – has now recovered.
“If more water is released continuously (into the Muda river), the water level will be above the critical level, which would be a relief for us.”
Following the critical water level reported at Sg Muda last month, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) drew water from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD) to make up for the shortfall of raw water supply for the state.
Hoping for more federal projects to come in
Chow said he hopes that more federal projects can be brought into the state, following the state having hit a snag in its quest to seek 20% of tax redistribution from Putrajaya as the Finance Ministry is facing fiscal constraints to fulfil Penang’s demands.
He added that Putrajaya also proposed that the states apply for an “advanced allocation” so that they can get the funds needed to carry out projects in the state.
However, the chief minister said the advanced allocation is a form of federal loan that has to be repaid by the states, and there were instances where states who could not repay ended up accumulating the loans.
He added that Penang “has not reached this situation” as it has enough in its reserves to implement its projects. – August 1, 2024