Govt To Build Four More Sabo Dams This Year

YAN, July 30 (Bernama) -- The government will construct four additional Sabo dams in four states this year to prevent debris flows and floods that could cause damage in downstream areas.

Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir announced that the dams would be built in Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Sabah.

“The estimated cost for each project ranges from RM30 million to RM144 million. However, since these projects will be implemented in stages, this year will focus more on pre-implementation activities.

“These four projects do not include the one in Baling, Kedah, which was previously approved. Following the debris flow incident in Kampung Iboi, the federal government has decided that there is a need to construct such infrastructure in that area to prevent a recurrence,” he said at a press conference today.

He added that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage will identify high-risk areas prone to debris flows and floods and propose the construction of Sabo dams based on the needs.

Earlier, Akmal Nasrullah attended the handover ceremony for the Sabo dam construction project and related works in the Yan and Kuala Muda districts (Phase 1-Design and Build), which the State Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources and Environment Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff @ Munir Zakaria also attended.

According to Akmal Nasrullah, the project, which cost RM22.8 million, involved the construction of two Sabo dams in Titi Hayun and Tupah, Kuala Muda, and has been fully completed.

“This allocation package includes two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of two Sabo dams. Once completed, we will hand them over to the state government to allow for planning of their functions and maintenance,” he said.

He added that 18 projects under his ministry will be implemented in Kedah this year, with an allocation of up to RM160 million.

The Sabo dams in Titi Hayun and Tupah, executed under a design-and-build approach, took 18 months from the design phase to project completion.

These dams aim to prevent debris flow and strong currents during flash floods and mudslides, mitigating damage in downstream areas and saving lives.

-- BERNAMA