Govt green-lights RM4.3bil for 13MP projects in Kedah

Good progress: Fadillah (second from right) viewing a replica of the Kota Setar RSTP project, in Alor Setar. — Bernama

ALOR SETAR: A total of RM4.389bil has been approved for 38 projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Kedah, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said the allocation was approved for the Energy Transi­tion and Water Trans­formation Ministry to implement 38 projects under 13MP’s Rolling Plan 1 for the state.

“A total of 21 projects under the Irrigation and Drainage Depart­ment will involve a total cost of RM1.995bil with an allocation of RM184mil in direct grants in 2026.

“A total of 14 projects under the Water Supply Department will involve RM2.078bil with an allocation of RM59mil for 11 projects financed by direct grants and RM5mil for three projects financed by loans in 2026,” he said at the opening of the Regional Sewage Treatment Plant (RSTP) and Sewerage Pipe Network Construction Project in Kota Setar yesterday.

Fadillah, who is also the Energy Trans­ition and Water Trans­formation Minister, said the total allocation for all the projects approved for this year was RM253mil.

He said three more projects under the Sewerage Services Department costing RM316mil was also allocated this year with RM5.5mil in direct grants.

Among the new projects in Kedah are the construction of the RM496.124mil Sungai Karangan Riverbank Water Retention Pond in Kulim and the Sungai Temin/Bata Flood Mitigation project in Kubang Pasu costing RM290mil.

Fadillah called on the Kedah government to work together with the federal administration to expedite the projects.

“These two projects require us to appoint consultants, to conduct site inspection and also for us to design the first phase.

“It is quite critical for the planning to be completed this year so that the tenders can be expedited next year,” he said, Bernama reported.

On the Kota Setar RSTP project, Fadillah said it is the largest plant in Kedah with the capacity to treat sewage for up to 100,000 population equivalents (PE), which can be increased to 300,000 PE in the future.

He said the plant started opera­ting in stages from Aug 9 last year, which included the rationalisation programme of 28 existing sewage treatment plants and sewe­rage systems in 16 government premises.

Fadillah said the regional sewe­rage system in Kota Setar, costing RM238.8mil, would benefit residents in Alor Setar, Derga in Kota Setar and Alor Malai.