PERMATANG PAUH: State Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman today urged the state government to facilitate the implementation of flood mitigation projects worth RM1 billion by terminating the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) of structures by the river in the state.
He said the land on which the structures were located will be used to widen the river as part of the flood mitigation project. However, while the TOL is in force, the Federal government would have to fork out additional costs to pay the TOL holders as compensation.
"Most of the structures are located by the rivers, hence we have no choice but to compensate them. Some of them were given TOLs ever since we gained independence and it is renewed every year till today.
"At times the costs of compensation is equal or even higher than the cost of the flood mitigation project there. For instance, if there is a business set up , then we have to pay for the structure and also for the business itself.
"So I hope the state government can take the necessary steps to terminate the TOL so that the costs of the projects implemented can be minimised," he said after officiating the ‘Bersamamu Utaraku’ programme at SMK Sama Gagah here today.
Heavy rain lasting more than 17 hours on Nov 4 triggered massive floods at many locations in the state. The floods left seven people dead and numerous people were evacuated to safety.
When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak visited the affected areas, he was briefed by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) that 13 projects worth RM1 billion are needed as long-term solutions to the perennial problem.
Zainal said that Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under the Prime Minister's Department held a meeting recently with the authorities involved in implementing flood mitigation projects including the DID to discuss the proposal.
"The unit will see which of the projects is in need the most, and that will be implemented first," he added.