Cabinet to review long-awaited Bukit Merah water project this week
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the project involves a major infrastructure initiative aimed at addressing irrigation and water supply needs in northern Perak.
He said the state government has submitted its feedback and views particularly on the proposed route for the water transfer to ensure the project meets local needs and minimises negative impacts.
"I have been informed that the cabinet paper will be tabled this week. Previously, during the exco (executive council) meeting, we decided that the cabinet paper must take into account the requests, comments, and feedback from the state government.
"Firstly, water is a state right. Secondly, the state knows better which routes are more suitable, as we want to minimise the risk of flooding, reduce land acquisition, and avoid relocating too many people," he said.
Saarani told this to reporters after attending the Meet the Customer Day event at Dewan MPTI Langkap here today.
A cabinet paper is a formal document used to present policy proposals or other significant matters to the government for discussion and decision-making.
Saarani said certain routes could affect populated areas, which would require costly compensation and resettlement processes.
"We have officially written to the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry to convey our stand.
"While I can't disclose the contents of the cabinet paper, as it is highly confidential, I am confident that our input is being taken into account," he said.
He said, once the cabinet greenlights the paper, the next phase will involve the Finance Ministry in terms of funding allocation.
He added that the implementation of the RM6.2 billion project, originally estimated at RM5 billion, must benefit local contractors.
"We have proposed, and the ministry has agreed, to appoint a joint venture between PKNPk (Perak State Development Corporation) and Gamuda Bhd.
"At the same time, smaller local contractors, especially G1-class contractors, must also be given opportunities under the project," he said.
Saarani said the state is in the midst of finalising the project alignment through a series of workshops involving state representatives in the decision-making process.
"If everything goes smoothly, I hope the project can be expedited. The main objective is to solve the irrigation issues in the northern agricultural zones," he said.
He added that the project is also expected to support the water supply needs of the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP).
"Only if there is excess supply will the state consider selling water to Penang. This project addresses three goals in one — agriculture, industrial development, and potentially water sales," he said.
When asked about the final length of the water transfer alignment, Saarani said he could not confirm the exact figure, as several route options had been evaluated.
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