More must be done to stop T’gganu beach erosion, says MP

KUALA NERUS: Better measures are needed to stem beach erosion in the state, said Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali.

He urged the state government to look to measures taken by Australia and the United States to beat the problem over there.

He said shorelines were restructured and sand replenishment was used to successfully control erosion at Miami beach in Queensland, Australia, and Florida beach in the United States.

Over here the measures seem to be short-term solutions – the building of three breakwaters, a groyne and rock revetment – along the coastline at Tok Jembal, he said.

He said these steps were insufficient and the problem has been prevalent since 2011.

“We are hoping the state government will identify a proper mechanism that will put a stop to this issue,” he said, adding that millions had been spent on short-term solu- tions but the erosion was still bad.

He said that over the past six years it has damaged the homes of villagers, food stalls and roads.

“The situation is worsening, certain areas are eroding at a rate of 15m a year,” he told reporters after visiting an affected shoreline at Kampung Kolam yesterday.

Tok Jembal beach was once popular because of its soft, fine sand – an idyllic seaside setting that Terengganu is famed for – but now there is nothing left of that, it is a sliver of sand that ends in a tumble of rocks.

A study by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) shows that 62% of the state’s 244km coastline is being eroded.

The main cause is strong waves during the monsoon season, particularly here, Besut and Dungun Chendering.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, who visited the site, said the state government has instructed DID to carry out a study on possible solutions.