Johor to build three water plants

NUSAJAYA: Three treatment plants will be built in Johor as part of a RM430mil allocation by the state government to overcome water shortages and upgrade supply facilities.

Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd would build the plants in Buloh Kasap, Segamat; Pagoh, Muar; and Kahang, Kluang.

He said all old pipes throughout the state would also be replaced.

“We hope to improve the water supply with these initiatives and resolve water-related issues, especially in Pasir Gudang and Pengerang,” he said when tabling Johor’s 2016 budget at the state assembly yesterday.

He said RM1mil would be allocated to identify areas prone to flash floods and short- and long-term plans to prevent such floods.

Khaled told the assembly that the Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) would also study water regulatory methods and the creation of buffer zones in catchment areas.

“The RM57mil allocated by the Federal Government under the 11th Malaysia Plan will enable the state to conduct feasibility studies on water sources in Sungai Muar and environmental impact studies in Mersing.

“The funds will also be used to build infrastructure, like barrages and dams, and upgrade existing dams,” he added.

Khaled said the state also planned to improve flood mitigation works, drainage systems and sewage maintenance projects by increasing the developers’ contribution collection rate by 150%.

He said developers would now be required to pay RM10,000 per 0.4ha for areas under the jurisdiction of local councils while those areas under municipal councils would be set at RM5,000 per 0.4ha.

Earlier, the Mentri Besar announced the state’s highest budget so far, with an increase of 47.7% in development expenditure for 2016.

Khaled said the estimated development expenses for next year had been raised to RM541.10mil, from RM366.20mil allocated this year.

A total of RM213mil would be spent on economy-generating projects and programmes while RM95.1mil has been allocated for administration, infrastructure and amenities.

A sum of RM33mil has been set aside for irrigation and drainage projects

Khaled said social and physical development programmes would receive RM155mil while RM45mil would be spent on the development of Islam.