Addressing the proposal for the federal government to mediate in Kedah's claim against Penang over contributions to conserving the Ulu Muda forest, a critical water source for both states, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stressed the need for a holistic approach.
Speaking during the winding-up session of the Supply Bill 2025 for his ministry at the Dewan Negara on Thursday (Dec 12), Nik Nazmi acknowledged Kedah's concerns, highlighting that several river basins in Malaysia span across state borders.
He emphasised the importance of developing an integrated river basin management plan to address such issues comprehensively.
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Speaking during the winding-up session of the Supply Bill 2025 for his ministry at the Dewan Negara on Thursday (Dec 12), Nik Nazmi acknowledged Kedah's concerns, highlighting that several river basins in Malaysia span across state borders.
He emphasised the importance of developing an integrated river basin management plan to address such issues comprehensively.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Next, I, Senator Tuan Haji Abdul Nasir bin Haji Idris,
00:06request the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to act as a mediator
00:09to resolve the Kedah state government's claim against the Penang state government
00:13in connection with the donation of the Kedah Ulu Muda Forest Conservation Cost,
00:17which is a water supply source for both states.
00:21So, for your information,
00:24all of our actions, of course, refer to the Republic of Indonesia
00:29and the provisions in it,
00:32and we also cannot deny the reality of the fiscal efforts of the state and the country.
00:38What has been introduced by the government since 2019
00:43is the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation,
00:47or known as EFT with permission,
00:50to state governments that take efforts to protect the forests,
00:56as well as adding new conservation areas and permanent forests.
01:02And under the announcement, we have increased,
01:05when this provision was introduced in 2019,
01:10the amount was Rp60 million,
01:12then it rose to Rp70 million for 2021-2022,
01:16when the 10th Prime Minister,
01:20Dato' Sri Anwar, took responsibility,
01:23he then increased this provision to Rp150 million for 2023,
01:29Rp200 million for this year,
01:31and next year it will rise to Rp250 million.
01:34And we also increased the assessment of the quality of work or conservation
01:41that is done from 30% to 50%.
01:45In the past, this weight was more towards the width of the forest or protection areas,
01:52but now we take into account the conservation work done by the state government.
01:59And there are six scope of spending,
02:01which are maintenance of protected areas with permission,
02:07and efforts to add new protection areas.
02:11Second, maintenance, restoration and maintenance for the preservation of protection areas.
02:15Third, provision and ease of management in the protection areas.
02:19Fourth, the implementation of risk management and strengthening operations
02:23for the control of the source of the flora and fauna ecosystem.
02:26Fifth, the implementation of community involvement and capacity development programs.
02:30And the sixth, the implementation of programs for continuous forest management practices.
02:35For your information, the state government has received Rp11.1 million in 2024.
02:43If last year, it was Rp10.1 million.
02:46So there is indeed an increase that has been received.
02:49The other is the discussion between the Kedah government and the Penang government.
02:55That may be done in a way that both governments are happy to discuss further.
03:05Perhaps one of the things that we have to see moving forward is the provision of river management.
03:13Because there are several rivers in our country that cross national borders.
03:18And I think what the Kedah government has raised is on that matter.
03:23They feel that for the provision of water in Penang,
03:27the Kedah government has a burden or responsibility to preserve the area.
03:32So we understand.
03:34But in the framework of the current legislation,
03:39there is no such provision yet.
03:41In Australia, there is a provision on river management.
03:47That has been proposed in our country,
03:50but there has not yet been an agreement between the countries.
03:54So that needs to be discussed further
03:56so that we can see a win-win solution
03:59in terms of maintaining the issue of water supply in each country.
04:09For more UN videos visit www.un.org