'Off River Storage' project status in question

MELAKA (July 23): The status of the RM300 million Off River Storage (ORS) project needs clarification by the state government, according to Syarikat Air Melaka Bhd (SAMB).

“We are still waiting (to learn about) the new directions and policies of the Water, Land and Natural Resources,” said SAMB chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Khalid Nasir to the NST.

He said since Pakatan Harapan took over the state administration after the 14th General Election, the company had yet to receive any update on the project.

“We hope the project (will be continued). Melaka could face clean water shortage in 2020 because the volume of water source equates the size of future customer demand,” he said to the NST today.

The project would be crucial in ensuring daily clean water supply of up to 30 million litres by 2020, said Mohd Khalid.

“The state agency, Water Regulatory Body (BKSA), has been urged to explain the status of this project,” he said. 

Former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron announced in February, a Federal Government allocation to ensure a steady clean water supply for residents.

SAMB was to study areas that were included in the proposed Sungai Jerneh Dam project, such as, Masjid Tanah, Kuala Linggi and Lubok China, reported the daily. 

Reported to function both as flood mitigation and storage systems, the ORS would reduce dependency ratio on Sungai Muar from 160 to 77 million litres daily.