by Rosli Mansor
The state government through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) has carried out a number of Flood Mitigation Projects, particularly in the Larut, Matang and Selama districts, including the Larut River Flood Mitigation Project Phase 1.
Chairman of the State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said, JPS also planned a number of high-cost Flood Mitigation Plan Projects using federal government allocations.
“The result of the dredging was not taken out since it involves high costs and requires approval from the district and land office.
“However, JPS has worked in a smart partnership with the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc.) to carry out the dredging of the main rivers approved by the State Government Meeting (MMK) on a ‘blanket’ basis.
“Through this smart joint venture, the results of dredging the river will be sold, thereby saving the state government’s expenses and reducing the flood problem,” he said.
He said this when answering a verbal question during the 15th Perak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference on Tuesday.
In the meantime, he said the Flood Mitigation Project is one of the long-term solutions to reduce the problem of flooding in areas at risk.
He also said that most of the projects require more detailed studies in designing because they cost a lot and take a long time.
“JPS is responsible for maintaining the rivers to reduce the problem of flooding, one of the methods of which is to dredge the river and the result of the dredging will be used as a flood barrier,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also touched on the issue of the flood erosion dam construction by JPS.
He said that the JPS found that the erosion issue in Kampung Raja Bashah, Kuala Kurau is serious and requires a large allocation for conservation work on the banks of the Kurau River.
“JPS has submitted an application under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) under the First (2020), Second (2021) and Third (2022) Rolling Plan.
“The request amounts to RM 23 million for cliff conservation and erosion control works involving the Bagan Serai Town area and also Kampung Raja Bashah.
“The status of this application is still under consideration at the federal government level but I will follow up on this application to get the federal government’s immediate attention,” he added.
