RM7bil sought under 12MP to resolve Kelantan's water woes

Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

KOTA BARU (Bernama): The Environment and Water Ministry will seek a RM7bil allocation under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from the Federal Government to resolve water issues in Kelantan holistically.

Its minister, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this involved three major areas, namely, flood mitigation including the construction of four new dams; replacement of water pipes which are more than 40 years old to reduce non-revenue water; as well as upgrading plants and integrated sewage projects.

"The decision was made after taking into consideration the increasing population and to settle water supply problems in Kelantan for the next 30 to 40 years.

"By 2030, we are confident 95% of the water supply problems in the state will be resolved, ” he said after a meeting with Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob at Kota Darul Naim Complex here Sunday (July 5).

Also present were the state Public Works, Infrastructure, Transportation and Utilities Committee chairman Datuk Azami Mohd Nor and Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang.

Tuan Ibrahim said to resolve the water crisis holistically would also involve addressing river and surface water sources in Kelantan.

In this regard, he said the meeting also discussed the proposal to overcome sea water seepage into solid water landfills to prevent pollution to the underground and river water systems as well as sewage management.

He also announced that Kelantan would be hosting the national level National Environment Day in October for the first time.

Meanwhile, Ahmad thanked the Ministry and the Federal Government for their concern about Kelantan and efforts to improve the standard of living of the people in the state.

"With this pledge we hope it would help Kelantan residents who are slightly left behind compared to other states and we would be able to compete with them after this, ” he said. – Bernama