PEKAN: The government has set aside RM564 million to implement the Pekan Town Flood mitigation project (Phase 2) to tackle flood problems here.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said flooding has been a longstanding problem experienced by the people here since the 1920s, and assured the project will bring an end to the issue.
Najib, who is also the Pekan member of parliament, said once the entire project was completed in May 2020 it will benefit some 83,000 residents in the area.
"I do not need to speak about the river levee or riverbank as what is important here is that the flood mitigation project will solve the flood problems...this is what the people here want to know.
"Do not say that when we (the government) announces such projects, it is "dedak" (inducement). We are a fair government and all (states) receive allocation for flood mitigation projects. Even Kelantan received RM800 million for similar projects (flood mitigation)," he said in his speech before the Pekan Town phase two flood mitigation project(Parcel One) groundbreaking ceremony in Kampung Pulau Keladi here today.
Phase one which began in 2014 is expected to be completed in May this year while phase two, which involves a cost of RM108.6million will be completed in May 2020.