The approval of largescale mining permits in Ulu Muda will jeopardise water supply in three northern Malaysian states covering 4.2 million people, said Penang water supply board (PBAPP) CEO Jaseni Maidinsa.

He was referring to Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's announcement that the state had allowed a company to explore large-scale mining of "rare earth elements" (REE) in Ulu Muda, Sik, and Baling.

Jaseni (above) called for the venture to...