Penang flood mitigation projects a priority for PH govt: Minister

GEORGE TOWN: Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar have assured Penangites that the federal government would prioritise the implementation of flood mitigation projects in flood-prone areas like Sungai Pinang.
Xavier had earlier been briefed on the latest developments in the ongoing Sungai Pinang flood mitigation scheme here.
He said the first priority would be to broaden the embankment of the river which flows for 1.5 km - exiting at the Penang Channel.
Xavier said the ministry had allocated RM150 million for river widening works scheduled to begin in April 2019.
Speaking during a press conference here, he said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) would adopt a "think out of the box" approach in finding a permanent solution to the decades-long woes of the residents in Datuk Keramat, Sungai Pinang and Jelutong.
He said using the latest technology such as underground tunnelling and canals to mitigate the excess water which comes from the backflow of the water which cannot flow out to the sea due to the natural high tide is an option.
Xavier said the main setback in Sungai Pinang is the acute shortage of land needed to construct mitigation projects.
He said the high-density area around the river is another obstacle.
Meanwhile, Xavier said Kedah has asked the federal government to help it provide compensation to loggers, whose concessions were removed by the state in Ulu Muda following fears that the huge water catchment basin may be undermined in Kuala Muda due to logging.
Kedah supplies water to Perlis and Penang.
Xavier also encouraged Penang and Perak to recommence negotiations for the latter to supply either treated or raw water to the former.