Sungai Tiang assemblyman resigns as Kedah Exco effective immediately 

SUNGAI PETANI - Sungai Tiang assemblyman Datuk Suraya Yaacob announces her resignation from the position as Kedah Exco effective immediately.

The State Public Works, Water Supply and Water Resources, and Energy Committees Chairman since four terms in 2004 announced her resignation through a statement distributed to the media after the exco meeting was held in the Sungai Petani Municipal Council Complex at Kedah on Thursday.

Through the statement, she recorded her appreciation for the exco lineup as well as the Kedah government leadership, all departments and government agencies that gave their close cooperation to ensure the implementation of state government policies were realised.

"I give my highest appreciation to the Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah who acceded my nomination for the position.

"I would like to appreciate my exco partners as well as the Kedah State Government, all government departments and agencies particularly the Public Works Department (JKR), Kedah State Water Resources Board (LSANK), Syarikat Air Darulaman (Sada), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), NGOs, individuals and all the people of Kedah who gave their cooperation in ensuring the implementation of government policies under my portfolio field could be done.

"I will not forget all the challenges and experiences in helping coordinate and push projects to improve five Water Treatment Plants (LRA) that were delayed due to the suspension of the previous state government covering the cancellation of RM1.82 billion debt and the rest for the cost of developing two new LRA in Sidam Kiri and Kodiang.

Suraya explained among the valuable experience in this term was helping prepare the additional water source for the Kedah state involving two Riverside Water Reservoirs (Taps) (ORS 7 and 9) to be developed for the use of holding excess water during the monsoon season to be used for the drought season.

"What was the most challenging was our struggles in facing the floods of the water source in the Yan and Baling District, the ban breach tragedy in Santap River and the water crisis during the drought in 2021.

"Alhamdulillah, our patience, sincerity and identity as Kedah natives I am confident that we have been giving full commitment and hard work as Kedah Government Exco as what was entrusted by the state government and the Kedah people," she said.

However, Sinar Harian's attempt to gain further comments from Suraya was unsuccessful when she quickly left the complex before the media approached.