Federal government allocates RM1 bil for Kelantan water woes

Federal government allocates RM1 bil for Kelantan water woes





DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said the federal government has allocated about RM1 bil to help resolve the water problem in Kelantan, adding that it was approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

“As announced by the PM, RM1 bil has been set aside for Kelantan to resolve the water problem in the state. I was informed the distribution of the allocation, which started beginning this year, has been made transparently,” Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister told reporters.

In a speech, he said the government hoped the allocation would help solve the water issues faced by the people in Kelantan.

He also praised the Kelantan Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Ahmad Yakob saying that he is a good MB but that is not enough.

“Water supply is the basic thing needed by the people in the state.”

Anwar was the first to say his government would assist the Kelantan state government with its water problems during the Hari Raya open house in Kota Bharu last weekend.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters are still locking horns on the internet over water issues in both Kedah and Kelantan, while PN supporters are claiming Selangor too has its water woes.

Nevertheless, last week, a PAS leader said he hoped the government of Anwar would help Kelantan solve the water problems.

PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who was the environment and water minister in former premier Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Cabinet, said the previous administration had several plans to resolve the issue, such as a reservoir project and the replacement of pipes in Kelantan.

Tuan Ibrahim added there had also been a plan to replace water pipes. However, the cost was estimated to be RM3 bil per state, which he said the Kelantan government could not afford. — May 20, 2023