KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 — The Federal government allocates RM1.6 billion yearly to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry for restoration works following natural disasters like floods, landslides and coastal erosion, said its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said the provision was for the construction of breakwaters and embankments, flood mitigation, irrigation and drainage projects nationwide.
"This provision will continue to be maintained despite austerity measures taken by the government," he told reporters after visiting the coastal management project at Pantai Tok Jembal, here today.
He said in addition, the Irrigation and Drainage Department had also been allocated RM1.2 billion for immediate remedial measures to address coastal erosion throughout the country.
According to him the allocation was especially for the construction of breakwater structures or embankments at areas badly affected by coastal erosion to protect houses from the force of the waves in the long term.
He said RM25 million had been allocated to the Terengganu Drainage and Irrigation Department for the upgrading and conservation of Sungai Cepu and related work in the Telemong district (RM15 million) and flood mitigation projects for North Kuala Terengganu (RM10 million).
Wan Junaidi said RM12 million was allocated for urban drainage projects, namely the Gong Kiat Kuala Terengganu environmentally friendly drainage system (RM7 million) and the Guntung Luar Setiu drainage system (RM5 million).
He said RM13 million had been allocated for urgent coastal erosion management works involving Tanjung Gelam Beach (RM3 million), Teluk Lipat Dungun Beach (RM3.5 million), Rusilla Beach (RM3 million), Bukit Keluang Beach (RM1.5 million) and Kemasik Beach (RM2 million).
He said the Drainage and Irrigation Department had been instructed to complete the projects within six to seven months this year, before the rainy season hits the east coast of the peninsula.
"Terengganu has a coastline stretching as far as 244 kilometres and all these areas are at risk of coastal flooding and erosion, so control measures must be hastened," he said. — Bernama
