Latest news with #SaaraniMohamad
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Perak Wants Sungai Perak- Tasik Bukit Merah Water Transfer Project Expedited
IPOH, July 21 (Bernama) — The Perak government has urged the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of the water transfer project from Sungai Perak to Tasik Bukit Merah to address water supply shortages, especially during the dry season. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the project is not only crucial for solving paddy field irrigation problems in northern Perak but also for meeting the demand for clean water to support the development of the Integrated Rubber Industrial Area (KIGIP). 'Previously, our request for this project (water from Sungai Perak to Tasik Bukit Merah) was specifically to resolve irrigation issues for paddy fields in the north of Perak. 'However, now it's not just about that. The purpose of this project also includes supporting the construction of a new water treatment plant (WTP), enabling us to supply water for KIGIP's use, for people in northern Perak, and any surplus can be sold to Penang,' he said. He was speaking to reporters at a press conference after attending the fifth edition of the 2025 Customer Day Programme at Stadium Indera Mulia here today. According to a report on July 15 in Utusan, Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) Deputy Chairman Azhar Hashim called on the government to expedite the project's implementation to ensure adequate water supply for agricultural purposes, particularly paddy cultivation. Commenting on the proposed cloud seeding operation in the area, Saarani said the matter needs to be referred to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), as it depends on technical factors such as wind direction and cloud formation. 'For now, the Meteorological Department has advised that this is not the right time because of unpredictable wind directions which may affect whether the rain will fall into Tasik Bukit Merah. We don't want the effort to be in vain,' he said. He added that, for now, farmers in the affected areas have to rely on water supply from nearby rivers managed by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (IADA) as a temporary measure.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Perak wants federal action on Sungai Perak-Bukit Merah water project
IPOH: The state government has called on the federal government to expedite the water transfer project from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah Lake, citing recurring droughts and the current infeasibility of cloud seeding operations. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state is ready to play a more active role in tackling ongoing water shortages, particularly those affecting northern Perak's agricultural zones. "We really hope the federal government will be able to accelerate the process. Initially, our request was specifically to solve irrigation issues in the northern part of Perak. "But with the establishment of KIGIP (Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park), and with requests coming from Penang, the project was packaged together. "So now, it's not just about transferring water from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah, but also about supplying water to a treatment plant," he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the Perak State Government's 2025 Mesra Customer Engagement Programme at Stadium Indera Mulia, here. He added that the project would ensure a clean water supply for residents in northern Perak, with any surplus to be sold as treated water to Penang. "The project was packaged as a whole, but we are urging the federal government to speed it up, because we face the same problem every year," he said. Saarani said that cloud seeding is currently not viable due to unfavorable weather patterns and technical constraints, such as unpredictable wind directions. "In 2022, cloud seeding was carried out in the Bukit Merah area, but the rain fell in residential areas instead of the targeted reservoir. "That happened because of wind direction. The rain didn't fall into the Bukit Merah reservoir, it ended up on people's homes, and understandably, they were angry," he said. He added that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) has reportedly begun evaluating whether cloud seeding is viable under current conditions but, the Meteorological Department has advised against it. "They say it's not suitable now because they can't determine whether the rain will fall in the intended area, especially over Bukit Merah Lake. We don't want to waste resources on something that won't work," he said. When asked how the state government would assist farmers if cloud seeding could not be conducted, Saarani said the state is turning to alternative water sources, including rivers that still have flow. "The alternative water supply initiative is currently being tapped to support affected areas," he said. According to data from the Perak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), the reservoir has reached Irrigation Critical Level 3, with water levels now 6.1 meter.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Unpredictable winds rule out cloud seeding for Bukit Merah lake, other fixes sought to address low water levels
IPOH, July 21 — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said it is not the right time to carry out cloud seeding despite the rapidly falling water level at Bukit Merah Dam, which now threatens nearby padi fields due to the prolonged dry weather. Saarani said that the current wind conditions are too unpredictable, which could result in rainfall missing the targeted area. 'I've been informed that the Meteorological Department has advised against conducting cloud seeding at this time because the wind direction is uncertain. 'They cannot confirm whether the rain will fall into Bukit Merah Lake. If it doesn't, the effort would be in vain,' he said at a press conference after attending the Meet the Customers' Day programme at Stadium Indera Mulia here. Saarani added that the state government is cautious not to repeat the mistake made in 2022, when cloud seeding resulted in rainfall over residential areas instead of the Bukit Merah reservoir, leading to public dissatisfaction. 'For that reason, we can't simply proceed with cloud seeding without expert advice from technical departments and relevant ministries, including the Meteorological Department. 'I was also informed that the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has taken the initiative to assess whether cloud seeding is currently feasible,' he said. Saarani said the state government is now focusing on alternative measures, such as channeling water from nearby rivers that have not yet dried up. He also expressed hope that the Federal Government would expedite the project to divert water directly from the Perak River to Bukit Merah Lake. 'This is a very technical issue, and the problem of drying dams and rivers occurs almost every year. We sincerely hope the Federal Government can accelerate the project. 'Initially, the request was solely to resolve irrigation issues in northern Perak. But after Penang submitted a similar request, the entire initiative was bundled together. 'So now, it's not just about diverting water from the Perak River to Bukit Merah, but also about establishing a Water Treatment Plant to provide clean water to residents in northern Perak, with the surplus to be sold as treated water to Penang,' he said. It was reported that persistent heat and lack of consistent rainfall over the past few months has caused the areas surrounding the dam to become dry and barren. The situation has also affected padi fields, which have dried up due to the drought, while local inland fishermen have been forced to halt operations as their boats are now stranded and unable to reach open water.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MB: Perak among top durian-producing states in 2024
A cultural icon: Saarani (centre) serving customers who bought durians during an auction while attending the closing ceremony of the 2025 Perak State Durian Fest at Dataran Selama. LARUT: Perak has emerged as one of the leading durian-producing states in Malaysia, with a production volume of 59,217.3 tonnes worth RM462.28mil in 2024. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the achievement contributed to the country's agri-food economy and proved Perak's capability in the durian export market. He said durians produced in Perak were exported to more than 40 countries between 2017 and 2023, with 73% of the export value concentrated in China. 'In 2022, Malaysia's durian export value reached RM1.14bil, including RM887mil to China, yet demand for varieties such as the Musang King, Black Thorn, D24, IOI and premium durian kampung from Perak continues to rise. 'In addition, Topone Solution Sdn Bhd (TSSB) has successfully exported 30 containers of durians worth RM20mil in 2024, including five containers of durian kampung worth RM1mil, as well as 100 tonnes of durian kampung paste worth RM5.25mil,' he said, Bernama reported. Saarani said this at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Perak state-level Durian Fest at Dataran Selama, near here, yesterday. He said Malaysia began exporting fresh durians to China on Aug 24, 2024, involving 413.61 tonnes (RM24.84mil), following the phytosanitary agreement between the two countries after official approval was obtained in June last year. 'Since then, Malaysian durians have penetrated 16 key provinces in China and received an overwhelming response as a premium exotic product, with the durian kampung from Perak also gaining global recognition. 'Malaysia's durian export value is expected to reach RM1.8bil by 2030, with an annual growth rate of between 20% and 25%, driven by advancements in logistics, frozen supply chain technology and downstream product innovation,' he said. Saarani added that the current focus is on widening access to premium durian kampung from Perak through branding strategies, quality certification and digital marketing. 'Durians from Perak are also in demand from Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States and Australia, with the price of durian kampung from Malaysia reaching RM29 per 600g, while the Musang King is sold for up to RM400 per 2.5kg. 'There are even local entrepreneurs who are aggressively introducing durian-based products like durian chocolates, durian coffee, durian cakes, instant tempoyak sambal and durian ice cream that are also being marketed to China,' he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Perak one of Malaysia's top durian-producing states, says Saarani
LARUT: Perak emerged as one of the leading durian-producing states in Malaysia, with a production volume of 59,217.3 tonnes worth RM462.28mil in 2024. Sgtate Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said this contributed to the country's agri-food economy and proved Perak's capability in the durian export market. Saarani said Perak durians were exported to over 41 countries between 2017 and 2023, with 73% of the export value concentrated in China. "In 2022, Malaysia's durian export value reached RM1.14bil, including RM887mil to China, yet demand for varieties such as the Musang King, Black Thorn, D24, IOI and premium durian kampung from Perak continues to rise. "In addition, Topone Solution Sdn Bhd successfully exported 30 containers of durians worth RM20mil in 2024, including five containers of durian kampung worth RM1mil, as well as 100 tonnes of durian kampung paste worth RM5.25mil," he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the 2025 Perak state-level Durian Fest at Dataran Selama, near here on Sunday (July 20). He said Malaysia began exporting fresh durians to China on Aug 24, 2024, involving 413.61 tonnes (RM24.84mil), following the phytosanitary agreement between the two countries after official approval was obtained in June 2024. "Since then, Malaysian durians have penetrated 16 key provinces in China and received an overwhelming response as a premium exotic product, with the durian kampung from Perak also gaining global recognition. "Malaysia's durian export value is expected to reach RM1.8bil by 2030, with an annual growth rate of between 20% and 25%, driven by advancements in logistics, frozen supply chain technology and downstream product innovation," he said. He added that the current focus is on widening access to premium durian kampung from Perak through branding strategies, quality certification and digital marketing. "Durians from Perak are also in demand from Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States and Australia, with the price of durian kampung from Malaysia reaching RM29 per 600g, while the Musang King is sold up to RM400 per 2.5kg. "There are even local entrepreneurs who are aggressively introducing durian-based products like durian chocolates, durian coffee, durian cakes, instant tempoyak sambal and durian ice-creams that are also being marketed to China," he said. – Bernama
