KUANTAN: A total of 18 flood mitigation projects costing more than RM3.1bil have been approved by the Federal and Pahang governments, as the state intensifies efforts to reduce flood risks across vulnerable areas, says Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (pic).
The Mentri Besar said 11 of the projects are already under construction, six are in the design stage, and one had recently been approved under the first rolling plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Bernama reported.
“The projects will help reduce flood risks and minimise the impact of major flooding.
“The state will continue to assess conditions to determine whether other areas require similar measures,” he said in reply to V. Arumugam (BN-Sabai) on the latest status of flood mitigation projects across Pahang.
Wan Rosdy said flood mitigation works had already begun in districts including Pekan, Temerloh, Lipis and Bera, while projects in Bentong and Raub were at the design phase.
The scope of the projects includes river deepening, construction of flood bunds and reinforcement of riverbanks, he added.
Meanwhile, local government, housing, environment and green technology committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said the state had agreed to temporarily defer increase in rates or introduction of new charges by local authorities.
He said the decision, made during the state executive council meeting on April 29, was aimed at preventing a domino effect that could further burden the public amid the global economic crisis.
“This decision will help balance the impact of rising costs while safeguarding public wellbeing and the continuity of economic activities,” he said.
He was replying to Mohd Johari Hussain (BN-Tioman) on whether the Rompin District Council would continue maintaining rental rates for stalls in Kuala Rompin.
