THE government has allocated RM1.6 billion to address the issue of shallow river mouths throughout the country, affecting waterborne commerce from 2002 to 2021.

Minister of Environment and Water Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the heavy economic activity around river estuaries often posed challenges such as soil sedimentation, floods and difficulties in navigation by boats.

“Fishermen also experience difficulties in going out to sea because estuaries are shallow due to sand bars.

“Some of them suffer losses of property and even lives due to mishaps,” he said at the launching of the Sungai Setiu estuary conservation project in Setiu, today.

As such, he said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) was committed to overcome the problem.

Tuan Ibrahim said that Malaysia, especially in Terengganu, had a long coastline and numerous large estuaries.

“The problem of sedimentations occurs nationwide, but Terengganu received the highest allocation at RM1.16 billion (of the RM1.6 billion) because there are 14 river estuaries in the state compared to other states which have three or four,” he said.

He said that in the 11th Malaysia Plan, RM343 million had been approved for Terengganu to implement three new projects as part of the river mouth conservation programme.

“The Sungai Setiu Estuary Conservation Project is one of the new projects with a total ceiling allocation of RM150 million. The construction work started in January 2022 and is expected to be completed in three years,” he said.

Of the total of RM150 million, he said RM116 million went into the construction of a wave breaker, training wall structure, beach rehabilitation as well as the excavation of a 14km navigation channel from Kampung Gong Batu to the Malaysia Fisheries Development Board jetty in Kampung Penarik.

“All allocations and the projects approved symbolise the concern of the federal government to improve the quality of life of the people of Terengganu,” he added. – Bernama, February 25, 2022.