KOTA BHARU: Former environment and water minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man stressed that he had never signed any agreement acceptance letter (SST) to any parties related to the flood mitigation project.
He also questioned the RM7 billion allocation which is being reviewed by the government since the original allocation was RM15 billion.
"For now no SST was issued to any company. Hence the issue of cancelling it does not arise as it has yet to be approved or begun; besides I never signed the RM15 billion allocation.
"I also do not understand where does this RM7 billion comes from," he said after the Hari Kelantanku Bersih Tahun 2022 celebration today which was officiated by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
Tuan Ibrahim said that the country suffered between RM6 - RM7 billion losses, hence the flood mitigation project must be given serious attention.
He cited an example of the Sungai Golok flood mitigation project which he said must be expedited, failing which it would cause Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas and Tumpat to he inundated every year.
"During Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's time as the prime minister, he saw the need for the RM15 billion allocation, but it was not implemented and was under review.
"Priority is given to things that need attention. It not only involves flood mitigation, but also system upgrades.
"For example, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) needs to be upgraded, including early warning of floods to users and it involves a large package, but nothing has been approved yet," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently instructed the Finance Ministry to pause channelling funds of RM7 billion out of the RM15 billion worth of flood mitigation projects.
Anwar said he gave the suspension order to conduct a full review of contracts that had been awarded through direct negotiations, for possible procedural breaches.
Tuan Ibrahim said the east coast states were facing floods almost every year for many years with no mitigation measures in sight.
He said that the Phase 1 of flood mitigation works had been completed and he hoped the government will continue with the project.
"Personally, I think this (mitigation project) should be continued for the sake of the people and the country to reduce disasters, deaths and losses.
"If it is not implemented, the country will suffer a loss of almost RM7 billion a year. However, it depends on the Prime Minister to continue it or not," he said.