THE Environment and Water Ministry will seek RM7 billion in funding under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from the federal government to resolve water issues in Kelantan holistically.

Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said it involved three major areas: flood mitigation, including the construction of four new dams; replacement of water pipes more than 40 years old to reduce non-revenue water; as well as upgrading plants and integrated sewage projects.

“The decision was made after taking into consideration the increasing population and to settle water supply problems in Kelantan for the next 30 to 40 years.

“By 2030, we are confident 95% of the water supply problems in the state would be resolved,” he said after a meeting with Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob at Kota Darul Naim Complex in Kota Baru today.

Tuan Ibrahim said to resolve the water crisis holistically would also involve addressing river and surface water sources in Kelantan.

In this regard, he said the meeting also discussed the proposal to overcome sea water seepage into solid water landfill to prevent pollution to the underground and river water systems as well as sewage management.

He also announced that Kelantan will be hosting National Environment Day (HASN) in October for the first time.

Ahmad believed the funding would help Kelantan residents “who are slightly left behind compared to other states and we would be able to compete with them after this”. – Bernama, July 5, 2020.