PASIR MAS: The government will expedite sufficient financial allocations to address the flood issues in Rantau Panjang caused by the Sungai Golok estuary, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the funds would be used for dredging and cleaning Sungai Golok, a solution that Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also agreed upon, as similar problems are occurring in southern Thailand.
Anwar noted that flooding in Rantau Panjang and Narathiwat, Thailand, are among long-standing issues in both areas.
"One cause of the flooding is poor management of the river (Sungai Golok), which has not been cleaned or dredged. Part of the land belongs to Malaysia, and part belongs to Thailand.
"I told the Thai Prime Minister (Srettha) that unless the river mouth is dredged, water overflow will continue to affect Kelantan and Narathiwat... and we have seen this problem persist year after year,” he said.
The prime minister said this at a press conference held at the Pasir Mas Land and District Office here on Saturday (Aug 3), following his working visit to Rantau Panjang and Sungai Golok, where he also met with Srettha.
According to Anwar, the foreign ministers of Malaysia and Thailand are scheduled to meet soon to discuss the flooding issues, adding that both prime ministers have fundamentally agreed on the need for an expedited resolution.
He said financial allocations would be provided once the technical details are resolved.
The prime minister also said that the Federal Government's active efforts to address several long-delayed projects, including flood issues, highlight the significant focus being given to Kelantan.
"Yes... there is indeed a great deal of focus on Kelantan right now,” Anwar quipped, which elicited a ‘thank you’ from Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
Anwar also requested that the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB) be expedited, as it aims to address flooding issues, particularly in Rantau Panjang.
"The project has been approved and funds allocated, but according to engineering experts, the scope of the study is very thorough when it comes to bridges or flood mitigation,” he said, adding that solving flooding problems is a top priority for frequently affected residents. -- Bernama
