SLOPE FAILURE AFFECTS BUKIT REMAH WTP, AKSB URGED TO EXPEDITE RESTORATION PLAN

KOTA BHARU, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation has urged Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) to promptly decide on repairs for the collapsed slope near the Bukit Remah Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Tanah Merah, following a landslide in November last year.

Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the incident damaged the plant’s inlet and outlet pipelines, but the pipe repairs have already been done.

He said it is crucial to restore the slope before the upcoming monsoon season, which could potentially compromise the entire structure of the water treatment plant.

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“We have given AKSB the option of whether to carry out repair works through Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad or apply for a special grant from the Federal Government. However, a decision must be made soon as the risk of further landslides is high,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Tanjung Mas WTP construction site here today.

On Nov 28 last year, the slope at Bukit Remah collapsed during the Northeast Monsoon season, damaging both raw and treated water pipelines.

Akmal Nasrullah said that although disasters such as floods rarely have a direct impact on the water infrastructure, the government is ready to help in recovery efforts.

The Deputy Minister also visited the proposed site for the construction of a riverbank water reservoir in Machang, which will be the first of its kind in Kelantan.

He said a consultant has been appointed for the project and the ministry is awaiting official site confirmation from the state government before commencing detailed planning work.

Meanwhile, he said the upgrading works for the Tanjung Mas WTP are progressing well.

“Construction of the tube wells is expected to be completed by the end of this year before the plant’s pre-implementation phase commences,” he said.

-- BERNAMA