BAGAN DATUK – The government will buy and import more high-powered pumps to solve stagnant floodwater problems throughout the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I will coordinate with the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the National Disaster Management Agency and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force to see how the high-powered pumps can be immediately deployed.
“I will inspect existing pumps to see if they need to be imported immediately, and I hope the agencies can submit a proposal according to the purchase procedure,” he said after visiting a flood relief centre at SK Sg Tiang Darat here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk MP, said the other immediate measure was to move the existing pumps to the flood-prone areas.
Meanwhile, he said pumps would be installed at nine locations here as suggested by the District Disaster Committee to solve the district’s flood problem.
“An immediate allocation is required from the Prime Minister’s Department Economic Planning Unit with the opening of tenders according to the pump quality specifications,” he said.
On the long-term solution to the area’s flood problem, Zahid said a permanent flood mitigation project amounting to RM80 million would be implemented and is expected to be completed within three years.
As of 8am, 44 people from 13 families in Perak are being accommodated at two flood relief centres, namely SM Abdul Rahman Talib Batu 4 and SK Sg Tiang Darat. – Bernama, December 18, 2022
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