Call for in-depth study to overcome coastal erosion in T'ganu

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government has asked the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to conduct an in-depth study to find the best approach or system to overcome coastal erosion in the state.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said this was vital because the erosion, especially along the coastal areas in Kampung Tok Jembal here and Pantai Teluk Lipat in Dungun, was quite serious.

"We want the DID to conduct an in-depth study to overcome this problem, which is becoming more rampant during the rainy season," he told reporters after visiting Kampung Cina here in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

He added that the problem persisted even after the government had put up wave breakers along the affected coasts.

"When we build wave breakers, like those near the port in Chendering, coastal erosion will occur in the nearby areas like Rhu Rendang, and when we build a port in Kemaman, erosion will occur in Pupuk Semangat. It's a never-ending problem," he said.

Also present were State Industrial, Trade and Environment Committee chairman Toh Chin Yaw and Kuala Terengganu Mayor Datuk Adzlan Mohd Dagang.

In another development, the menteri besar said the state government was monitoring closely the reports issued by Wisma Putra concerning the Yayasan Terengganu-funded students in Egypt.

He said the government had also advised the students residing in rented houses to move into available units of Terengganu Hostel in Cairo and Mansoura.

"We have advised them not to get involved in the demonstration. They have to be in safe areas," he said.

Approximately 12,000 Malaysians are now in Egypt and of the total, 247 are Yayasan Terengganu-funded students. — Bernama