The Sungai Kedah/Sungai Anak Bukit Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project in Alor Setar is close to completion, with an expected finish date of Sept 9. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, also the joint chairman of the State Development Action Council (MTPNg), stated that as of Jan 14, the progress of the Federal government project was at 78.13%. “What remains of the main work is the construction of two bridges in Jalan Alor Setar-Kangar and Jalan Gunung Keriang,” he told reporters after visiting the RTB project near here on Jan 15.
Saifuddin said that the RTB project would provide a new flow to handle the overflow of water from the three main rivers – Sungai Baru, Sungai Tanjung Pauh, and Sungai Anak Bukit. He mentioned that these rivers flow through settlements in villages, housing, and industrial areas involving 63,000 people. Saifuddin also noted that the project could protect 9,000ha of paddy fields along the Jitra-Alor Setar route from the threat of floods. Additionally, the visit on Monday was aimed at monitoring the implementation of the project in Kedah and ensuring projects financed through Federal government allocations are completed on time.
When asked about the potential challenges due to different leaderships at state and Federal levels, Saifuddin stated that the Federal government would never compromise the interests of the people, highlighting the significant difference in development allocation between the state and Federal government. “I don’t think such a scenario (exists where the Federal government) sidelines or ignores the people of Kedah,” he said, emphasizing the responsibility of the Federal government to provide comfort for the people. – Bernama
