522 flood mitigation projects worth RM69.77 million implemented in Melaka

MELAKA - A total of 522 flood mitigation projects involving an allocation of RM69.77 million have been implemented as a short-term solution to the problem, particularly in 124 hotspots in Melaka, the State Assembly was told today.

State Works, Transport, Public Facilities, Infrastructure, and Flood Management Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said of the total, 190 flood mitigation projects were implemented in Melaka Tengah district with an allocation of RM38.15 million, Jasin (157 projects/RM15.54 million), and Alor Gajah (175 projects/RM16.08 million).

"All the mitigation projects concerned are small projects implemented as a short-term solution to the flood woes,” he said in reply to Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer (BN-Ayer Limau) who wanted to know the number of projects and allocations channelled to address flood problems in the state.

He said 45 new hotspots have been identified in the three districts and measures will be taken next year to deal with the floods in the area.

Rahmad said as a long-term measure, the RM40-million Melaka River Flood Mitigation Plan phase one will be implemented. The project is currently in the designing stage before construction is put out to tender in May next year.

In a separate development, he said the Melaka state government has channelled RM1.4 million to 5,769 disaster victims, including floods from Jan 1 to Dec 12 this year.

"For flood disasters, the current aid of RM200 to RM500 has been increased from RM300 to RM700, while the rate for storm disasters has been increased from RM1,000 to RM3,000 to RM2,000 to RM4,000.

"For fire disasters, the existing aid will be increased from RM1,000 to RM3,000 to RM2,000 to RM5,000 and for other disasters from RM200 to RM500 to RM300 to RM500,” he said, adding the contribution was to ease the burden of those affected. - BERNAMA