Penang flood mitigation project to begin early next year

KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): The Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project will commence early next year, said DAP Dato Keramat assemblyperson Jagdeep Singh Deo, three days after the confirmation of RM150 million allocated by the federal government.

Malaysiakini reported today that Jagdeep said the last project under the BN state government ended in 1999, and in the 20 years since, there has been no follow-up or continuation. 

Flash floods inundated Penang on Monday, and areas including Dato Keramat were flooded, experienced paralysing traffic and several families had to be evacuated to safety.

In November of last year, a major flood resulted in seven deaths, with thousands negatively affected. Under the previous administration, then-natural resources and environment minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said RM150 million had been allocated to Penang to implement the flood mitigation project in Sungai Pinang.

Malaysiakini quoted Jagdeep as claiming that Junaidi had been "slow” and “there was no development or physical work started.”

"But now I'm happy as three days earlier, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said in his speech at the launch of our Jelutong service centre that RM150 million has been committed to the project.

"The only issue is the contractor for the project was appointed based on direct negotiation and not open tender.

"Now the current federal government will appoint a contractor based on an open tender, I have no problem with that, at least the government is committed to the project," he said, according to the news portal.

The project is slated to begin early next year.

The state government has implemented initiatives, including 35 short- and mid-term projects that were underway in Dato Keramat. 

However, the project of deepening and widening Sungai Pinang, as well as construction of a tidal gate at the river mouth to trap inflow during high tide are required urgently, Jagdeep said

Malaysiakini reports that Jagdeep also thanked the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for its emergency response team, for cleaning up areas where flash floods happen in Penang.

He said the total overall cost for the flood mitigation project in Sungai Pinang alone is RM600 million.

"But the finance minister had committed RM150 million for floods. In that perspective, I am very happy he has reserved the funds for it. And so I thank him for understanding our plight," said Jagdeep.