Pelubang LRA construction work progressing smoothly
ALOR SETAR: The construction work of the Pelubang Water Treatment Plant (LRA) in Kubang Pasu is progressing smoothly, achieving an overall construction progress of 62.46 per cent, exceeding the scheduled target of 62.32 per cent.
Bina Darulaman Bhd (BDB) group executive director Raja Shahreen Raja Othman said the progress of construction is 43 days ahead of the original schedule, assuring them that the LRA can be completed by the end of the year.
'In terms of construction progress, BDB needs to meet and adhere to the set timeline, so we hope that other stakeholders can also play their roles to ensure the construction work is completed on schedule.
'There are several big challenges that need to be overcome and these include land issues and permits as this project involves land ownership, roads and other properties. However, BDB is committed and we have sufficient resources to complete the LRA project,' he said at a press conference after the 30th BDB annual general meeting today.
Previously, the Kedah Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources and Environment Committee chairman Mohamad Yusuf@Munir Zakaria had said that the Pelubang LRA had been granted an Extension Of Time (EOT) until Dec 21 due to several technical issues encountered earlier.
Meanwhile, Raja Shahreen said the LRA structure is almost complete and only awaiting mechanical and electrical (M&E) works to be done, and once finished, it will significantly enhance the progress of the overall construction.
'If the M&E is installed and set up, then it can improve the progress level, possibly reaching up to 80 per cent... When it becomes operational, it can improve water supply access for residents in the Kubang Pasu and Alor Setar areas and resolve the frequent water issues in Kedah.
'If anyone wants BDB to be the contractor for projects that require rescue operations, we are ready and can provide the necessary resources to complete the relevant LRA,' he also said.
Meanwhile, regarding the world's first international Islamic-inspired retirement village project, Aman Seterra Sanctuary, which is expected to be built in Kuala Temoyong, Langkawi next year, Raja Shahreen said they are in the process of submitting the project planning approval to the Langkawi Tourism City Municipal Council.
The project, a collaboration between BDB through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aman Lagenda Sdn Bhd, and Seterra Holdings Sdn Bhd, will be developed over an area of 12.42 acres (5.03 hectares), providing services to retirees and the elderly from around the world by integrating the concepts of independent living, assisted living and long-term care.
In the meantime, he said for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2024, BDB recorded a pre-tax profit of RM4.51 million, with revenue of RM294.7 million compared to RM14.47 million and RM313.1 million respectively in 2023, but the company remains optimistic about long-term growth prospects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Iran warns of retaliation if Europe reimposes nuclear sanctions
TEHRAN: Iran on Sunday warned it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions "exploit" a UN report showing Tehran has stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had sharply increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent, close to the roughly 90 per cent level needed for atomic weapons. Iran's total amount of enriched uranium now exceeds 45 times the limit authorised by a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers, and is estimated at 9,247.6 kilograms, according to the confidential IAEA report seen by AFP. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement he had told IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in a phone call that "Iran will respond to any inappropriate action by the European parties" to the 2015 agreement, referring to Britain, France and Germany. The European trio have warned they could reimpose sanctions if they deemed Iran's nuclear programme a threat to the continent's security. Araghchi urged Grossi in their Saturday call to stop "parties from exploiting" the nuclear watchdog report "to advance their political objectives", according to the statement. The IAEA Board of Governors is set to review Iran's nuclear activities in its upcoming quarterly meeting in Vienna starting June 9. Iran rejected the IAEA report, the latest move in years-long efforts to restrict its nuclear activities over fears that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The Islamic republic has denied seeking nuclear arms and says it needs the uranium for civilian power production. The report was leaked as Iran and the United States have been engaged in negotiations towards a new nuclear deal, after Washington had unilaterally abandoned the agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018, during President Donald Trump's first term. Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received "elements" of a US proposal for a potential nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. Iran would respond "in line with the principles, national interests and rights" of its people, Araghchi added in a post on X. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the United States "has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it", the New York Times reported. The proposal was described as a series of bullet points rather than a full draft, according to the New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges. It calls on Iran to stop all enrichment of uranium and proposes creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power, which would include Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, as well as the United States. Trump adopted a "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran after withdrawing from the 2015 agreement and reimposed sweeping sanctions which the deal had lifted in return for UN-monitored restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. Iran has ramped up its nuclear activities since the collapse of the deal, and is now enriching uranium to 60 per cent – far above the deal's 3.67 per cent cap but below the 90 per cent needed for weapons-grade material. The 2015 deal provides for the possibility of UN sanctions being reimposed through a mechanism called "snapback" if Iran fails to fulfil its commitments, an option that expires in October.--AFP
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Iran warns of retaliation if Europeans ‘exploit' UN nuclear report
TEHRAN: Iran on Sunday warned it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions 'exploit' a UN report showing Tehran has stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had sharply increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. Iran's total amount of enriched uranium now exceeds 45 times the limit authorised by a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers, and is estimated at 9,247.6 kilograms, according to the confidential IAEA report seen by AFP. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement he had told IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in a phone call that 'Iran will respond to any inappropriate action by the European parties' to the 2015 agreement, referring to Britain, France and Germany. The European trio have warned they could reimpose sanctions if they deemed Iran's nuclear programme a threat to the continent's security. Araghchi urged Grossi in their Saturday call to stop 'parties from exploiting' the nuclear watchdog report 'to advance their political objectives', according to the statement. The IAEA Board of Governors is set to review Iran's nuclear activities in its upcoming quarterly meeting in Vienna starting June 9. Iran rejected the IAEA report, the latest move in years-long efforts to restrict its nuclear activities over fears that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The Islamic republic has denied seeking nuclear arms and says it needs the uranium for civilian power production. The report was leaked as Iran and the United States have been engaged in negotiations towards a new nuclear deal, after Washington had unilaterally abandoned the agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018, during President Donald Trump's first term. US proposal Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received 'elements' of a US proposal for a potential nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. Iran would respond 'in line with the principles, national interests and rights' of its people, Araghchi added in a post on X. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the United States 'has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it', the New York Times reported. The proposal was described as a series of bullet points rather than a full draft, according to the New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges. It calls on Iran to stop all enrichment of uranium and proposes creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power, which would include Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, as well as the United States. Trump adopted a 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran after withdrawing from the 2015 agreement and reimposed sweeping sanctions which the deal had lifted in return for UN-monitored restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. Iran has ramped up its nuclear activities since the collapse of the deal, and is now enriching uranium to 60 percent -- far above the deal's 3.67 percent cap but below the 90 percent needed for weapons-grade material. The 2015 deal provides for the possibility of UN sanctions being reimposed through a mechanism called 'snapback' if Iran fails to fulfil its commitments, an option that expires in October.
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
All abuzz over Amirudin's future
KLANG: Talk had been rife that with the resignation of Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from the Cabinet, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari may be moved up to be made a federal minister. Sources within PKR as well as the state administration had also said that Seri Setia assemblyman and chairman of the state Islamic and cultural innovation committee Dr Fahmi Ngah was one of the main candidates who could replace Amirudin as mentri besar. No one had voiced out against the strong possibility of Amirudin being moved from the state to the federal government. However, following Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's announcement that he will be leaving Umno for PKR, efforts have started rolling in to retain the status quo in the Selangor state administration. Selangor DAP chairman Ng Sze Han, his Amanah counterpart Datuk Izham Hashim and state PKR deputy chief Datuk Borhan Aman Shah issued a joint statement yesterday saying Pakatan Harapan component parties wanted Amirudin to complete his full term as mentri besar. 'This support (for Amirudin) is in line with the need for the Selangor state administration to remain stable and strong to implement the various welfare programmes and policies that have been planned,' said the trio. They named the Second Selangor Plan, the development of the third port in Pulau Carey and the construction of the Shah Alam Stadium Complex as among the plans undergoing the process of completion under Amirudin's purview. 'The continuity of the main state leadership will deliver a positive message to investors and the business community in Selangor,' said the statement.
