RM200m for mitigation works in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Penang has set aside a huge sum to address the damages caused by the devastating floods, which overwhelmed the state earlier this month.

At a press conference, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng led his two state executive councillors Chow Kon Yeow and Lim Hock Seng to disclose how the sum will be spent.

Besides asking the federal authorities to improve their allocation for flood mitigation in Penang, Lim also said Penang has no choice but to devote more resources including money to repair the damages incurred.

Under the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) tutelage, Penang has allocated up to RM200 million to carry out 31 flood mitigation projects across the state.

It included the deepening of riverbeds in all rivers and their tributaries as well as improving the drainage system. The projects will be carried out in stages. Hock Seng said the state will also allocate RM17 million to rehabilitate 71 locations of hilly terrain where landslips had occurred during the height of the rain storm, which paralysed 80% of Penang on Nov 4 and Nov 5.

The state will also seek a further RM8 million from the federal government to mitigate 50 hilly terrain locations along federal roads.

Penang has also channelled RM100,000 to Kelantan of which RM50,000 will be distributed to the state government for flood relief efforts while the rest will be allotted to the civil society for the same purpose. – by Ian McIntyre