Logging activities in the Ulu Muda forest reserve are not adversely affecting the quality of the water in Sungai Muda, stresses Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

He said the logging area was for developing agricultural land and, more importantly, it was approved by the Kedah Forestry Department.

In fact, he said water quality in the area was monitored by the Kedah Water Resources Authority (LSAK) and it (logging) did not at all, threaten the quality of water flowing into Sungai Muda, which was also used in Penang.

"Maybe, it is a little murky due to land development in three months but it is not serious. The heavy rains also contribute to incidents of murky river water.

"I have asked the Kedah Forestry Department and LSAK to explain to PBAPP (Penang Water Supply Corporation) and the Penang Government on the matter soon," he said after a ceremony to hand over contributions at Sekolah Menengah Agama Taufikiah Khairiah Al-Halimiah, Padang Lumat on Tuesday.

He said this in response to a statement by PBAPP, demanding that federal agencies take proactive measures to stop logging at the Ulu Muda forest reserve which affected the water resource.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Jaseni Maidinisa, in the statement said the forest area was the main water catchment area for Sungai Muda which was the main raw water supply for southern Kedah and Penang, and that logging would only result in serious problems in terms of water supply.

Ahmad Bashah also urged Penang and its agencies to cooperate with the Kedah Government over numerous matters to ensure issues arising could be amiably solved.

Earlier, Ahmad Bashah handed over annual aid worth RM1.7 million to 11 Sekolah Agama Rakyat (Islamic religious schools) in the state to help students staying in hostels and for the schools' development.