KUALA LUMPUR – The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had pushed for water-infrastructure upgrading works in Kedah when it took federal power in 2018, but was left frustrated by the lack of urgency and interest shown by the then state administration.
Datuk Xavier Jayakumar, who had served as water, land, and natural resources minister from 2018 to 2020, said as such it would be unfair for the federal government to take the blame over the state’s prolonged water woes.
This is after Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor pointed the finger at PH for causing delays and increased costs for water-infrastructure upgrading works there.
Speaking to The Vibes, Xavier said the then federal government had approved about RM1.7 billion in loans for water-related projects in Kedah in 2019, but saw little to no progress made by the state, despite repeated pushes.
Specifically, he said the amount was to upgrade the water treatment plants, repair underground pipes, and improve the state’s water shortage situation.
“However, there was a delay at the state level. They were taking their time to see through all these projects.”
Out of frustration, Xavier said he then sought consent from then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was given written approval to convert some of the loan amount to grants.
This, he said, was to allow Putrajaya to intervene and immediately kickstart and navigate some of the more critical projects.
However, as discussions were ongoing with the relevant ministries for the conversion of the loan, the PH government collapsed in February 2020, the former PKR leader noted.
“So, to say the federal government did not do their work is wrong. Yes, Kedah at that time was under PH, but the delay on their side was very frustrating.
“We were not at fault. We already gave all the money, but the state was not fast enough to implement the works.”
Asked what contributed to the delays in the implementation of the projects, Xavier said: “That you must ask (former Kedah menteri besar) Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. I don’t know why it took so long.”
Yesterday, Sanusi blamed PH for causing delays to water works in Kedah, noting how, after coming to federal power in 2018, the coalition had withdrawn the tender advertisement for the upgrading of five water treatment plants in order to appoint a new consultant, purportedly to reduce costs.
However, he said 20 months later PH’s chosen consultant had arrived at a similar conclusion to the one determined by its predecessor – that the project would cost RM931 million. The tender advertisements were subsequently re-released.
As a result, Sanusi said the project was delayed for close to two years, with hundreds of thousands of ringgit having to be paid for the new consultant fees. – The Vibes, April 20, 2023
