RM2.2 BILLION NEEDED TO UPGRADE SEWERAGE SYSTEM

JITRA, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) has requested for an allocation of RM2.2 billion to upgrade the infrastructure and sewerage system in its area of jurisdiction in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharom said MADA would present the request to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) at the Prime Minister's Department in December.

"This allocation is very critical because MADA farmers in Kedah and Perlis incur losses amounting to millions of ringgit each time it floods," he told reporters after visiting a paddy field that was hit by floods in Kampung Budi and Kampung Teluk Malek, near here today.

For example, he said floods had affected about 4,954 ha of paddy fields not under MADA, with losses of about RM2 million, while 4,500 ha under MADA were affected.

Mohd Johari said this time five per cent of the 96,000 ha of paddy fields under MADA were hit by the floods, but this had not affected rice production this season.

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MADA-FLOOD 2 (LAST) JITRA

The MADA paddy fields seriously affected by the floods consisted of 866 ha in Territory I (Perlis), Territory II (Kubang Pasu) with 1,906 ha and 1,500 ha in Territory III (Pendang), he said.

He said MADA could not guarantee that floods would not recur during the next rainy season because the sewerage system was old and problematic.

"Previously the allocation was mostly given to other areas, and MADA was neglected and left behind in terms of infrastructure development. Now we are asking the government to revise and provide an allocation of RM2.2 billion in the 10MP," he said.

Mohd Johari said that the infrastructure upgrading, sewerage, land levelling and flood mitigation projects would be carried out in stages.

He added that MADA was currently evaluating the losses incurred, and it was expected to be completed in two weeks, whereby those affected by the floods would be given aid based on last year's figures.

-- BERNAMA

ZAJ IZ AO