KUCHING: The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has approved 46 water-related projects in Sarawak covering 33 extension projects and 13 new projects with a project cost of RM6.01 billion through the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).
Deputy Prime Minister, Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said, the amount of allocation that has been approved for implementation this year (RP4, 2024) is as much as RM298 million.
He, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said that these approved projects include flood protection and coastal flooding, coastal erosion and estuary conservation.
"Next, among those implemented is the study of the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) plan, the development of sewage treatment plants, sludge treatment plants, the development of sewerage systems and the upgrading of water treatment plants," he said.
He said this while speaking at the National Level "Water For Peace" International Water Day Celebration at the Kuching Waterfront here on Sunday.
The inauguration of the programme was completed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
The Petra Jaya Member of Parliament added that the Federal Government is confident that with the completion of the entire multi-scope project, it will be able to overcome the issue of water disasters, reduce the risk of coastal erosion, improve the delivery of water supply and sewerage and have a positive impact on the people of Sarawak.
"The Federal Government is always concerned and careful in ensuring sustainability in the implementation of government projects to ensure maximum impact on the people of Sarawak.
"Comprehensive and continuous monitoring is the main key to balanced national development as desired by the Prime Minister, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim through the CIVIL Malaysia Idea," he said.
The celebration this time with Sarawak as the host coincides with the theme of this year's Water Day Celebration, where ethnic and cultural diversity in Sarawak is the main pillar in local stability and prosperity.
Also present were Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak Datuk Amar Prof Dr. Sim Hui Hian, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak and co-chairman of the 2024 International Water Day Celebration Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication) Sarawak Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition And Water Transformation Malaysia Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Dato' Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Major (K) Dato' Ir. Dr. Ahmad Anuar Othman.-UKASnews
