Flood mitigation projects review could save RM2bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Close to RM2bil can be saved by reviewing flood mitigation projects that were awarded through direct negotiations, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said almost RM15bil had been previously allocated for the flood mitigation programme and that projects worth RM13.8bil were approved via direct negotiations.

However, these projects had yet to be implemented by the Finance Ministry.

“That is why I wanted to put a stop to direct negotiations,” he told the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday, adding that some of these projects were meant for the long term and not urgent, hence they did not warrant direct negotiations.

He said through re-evaluation, the Finance Ministry found that it could recognise some savings.

“From RM15bil, we could save close to RM2bil because we have put an end to direct negotiations,” he added, while tabling the Consolidated Fund (Expenditure on Account) Bill 2022.

He said there were 39 flood mitigation projects submitted by the Water and Environment Ministry under the previous government, with some 28 approved through direct negotiations.

On a related note, Anwar said RM400mil was allocated to the National Disaster Management Agency for early preparations tor floods.

“But I held discussions with the Finance Ministry last week and this morning to find a way to increase allocations because according to early reports, the flood conditions are worse than expected,” he added.

Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s (Muda-Muar) emergency motion to debate the flood situation was rejected by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul due to time constraints.