The Malaysian Insight

PUTRAJAYA must consider increasing allocation for flood mitigation projects in Penang, said a PKR MP following the unprecedented flash floods in the state.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said the recent floods, which claimed seven lives, were proof that 80% of the state was vulnerable to such a disaster.

“Since the ninth Malaysia Plan until the 11th Malaysian Plan, only RM1 billion was spent for flood mitigation in one area, which is Sungai Pinang.

“The allocation is not enough for other areas, like Bayan Baru, Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Selatan. There is a serious need for the minister to come to parliament and table allocation for flood mitigation projects,” he said, referring to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Jaafar.

“Since Budget 2018 hasn’t been passed, I urge the government, especially the natural resources and environment minister, to increase budget for flood mitigation projects in Penang,” he told a press conference at Parliament today.

In a written parliamentary reply dated October 30, Wan Junaidi said only half of the total RM2.57 billion approved under the 5th Malaysia Plan to the 11th Malaysia Plan was spent on flood mitigation projects in Penang.

“For instance, RM135 million was allocated under the 8th Malaysia Plan for the Sungai Junjung mitigation project, and the project was continued until the 10th Malaysia Plan. 

“Although the total approved cost was RM2.57 billion, that doesn’t mean that the entire allocation has been spent and or is needed to be spent for development work. 

“After taking into consideration the scope of work, design and site requirements during the implementation of the projects, the actual sum spent under the 9th to 11th Malaysia Plan was only RM1.04 billion,” he said, adding that the amount did not include money spent on projects under the 8th Malaysia Plan and other continued projects. 

Wan Junaidi said the total allocation approved was only the initial ceiling cost expected to be paid for the implementation of projects. 

Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang chief minister, had asked Wan Junaidi why the federal government only spent RM443 million of the total amount allocated for flood mitigation projects in the state. – November 6, 2017.