KOTA BARU, Oct 9 — Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob today chided those people in the state who are reluctant to settle their quit rent, with the arrears now reaching RM21 million.

He said their attitude was much regretted when it came to paying quit rent which was only once a year, but would not hesitate to buy cigarettes frequently when the price for a packet had now risen to more than RM10.

He voiced his displeasure over the attitude when replying to a question from Abdul Rahman Yunus (PAS-Pasir Tumboh) at the state assembly sitting, here, today.

Ahmad, who is also state Public Administration, Economic Planning and Finance Committee chairman, said the state government had set up two action committees to collect the arrears including discussing with the land owners involved.

He said landowners affected by the problem of coastal erosion should apply to change their land status as the eroded piece of land which had become part of the sea was not taxable.

The assembly was also told that the implementation of phase one of the flood mitigation project in Rantau Panjang costing RM300 million was expected to commence next year.

State Infrastructure, Utilities and Information Technology chairman, Hanifa Ahmad said the Drainage and Irrigation Department had already prepared the tender for the project and was now awaiting approval for the funds.

He said phase one had three components, namely an embankment, a canal and a diversion for Sungai Golok to prevent flooding in Rantau Panjang.

“The total cost of the project consisting of three phases and covering a distance of 50 km from Tumpat to Rantau Panjang, is estimated at RM1.3 billion,” he added in reply to a question from Muhamad Awang (PAS-Gual Periuk). — Bernama