Melaka, NS finalise issues before implementing dam project

MELAKA, Feb 12 -- The governments of Melaka and Negeri Sembilan are finalising discussions on a number of issues arising from both sides before the construction of the Jernih Dam project in Alor Alor Gajah begins.

Chief Minister Adly Zahari said so far the land issue for the construction of the dam had been completed, whereby the dam would be built in Melaka.

"The construction of the Jernih Dam project should be started as soon as possible, to resolve the water supply problem in the state over the long term.

"The discussions take into account some important issues including the source of water that will be taken later, namely, the catchment area around Rembau, Negeri Sembilan and we know Sungai Rembau passes through Melaka," he told a press conference after the state executive council meeting here today.

The construction of the Jernih Dam would cost RM168 million and it is the fourth dam in the state. To date, Malacca has three dams, namely, the Durian Tunggal Dam at Alor Gajah and the Jus Dam and the Asahan Dam in Jasin.

Meanwhile, Adly said a new water treatment plant, namely, the Sungai Siput Plant in Alor Gajah, which has a capacity of treating nine million litres of water, would be built in March at a cost of RM11.5 million.

He said the treated water from the Sungai Siput Plant would be channelled to the Masjid Tanah areas which is now dependent on the Gadik Plant.

‘’With the commissioning of the Sungai Siput Plant, the burden borne by the Gadek Plant all these while will be reduced and the existing water supply can be channeled to other sub-urban areas," he said.

In the meantime, he said the cloud seeding operation conducted last Sunday in Melaka would continue depending on needs as the two-day effort did not have a significant impact on the rainfall distribution received especially in catchment areas and dams.

In another development, he said a tighter enforcement and stricter action would be taken through four local authorities (PBT) in the state against manufacturers, suppliers and traders who sell and use polystyrene food containers.

He said Melaka was the first state to ban the use of polystyrene food containers since January 2016 but there were still food traders using polystyrene containers.

"The situation takes place possibly because the traders' understanding and awareness are still low and due to the lax enforcement by the PBT," he said.

-- BERNAMA