Budget 2025: Pahang Residents Heave Sigh Of Relief With Allocation For Flood Mitigation

KUANTAN, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The people of Pahang who frequently face the challenges of flooding - especially during the Northeast Monsoon - can now breathe a sigh of relief with the allocation for flood mitigation projects included in Budget 2025.

Fairol Saed Rus, 46, from Temerloh, expressed his gratitude for the government's proactive measures in addressing the flooding issue but emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough study prior to the implementation of any flood mitigation initiatives.

Residing in Kampung Batu Kapor in Mentakab, Fairol stressed that the selection of contractors must be approached with the utmost care to ensure that the project is executed to a high standard, thereby preventing any potential future harm to the community.

“I want to thank the government for addressing this flood issue. Securing allocations is no easy feat, so I hope that all parties involved will execute this project with full responsibility to ensure that residents can truly benefit from it," he told Bernama.

On Friday (Oct 18), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled Budget 2025 of RM421 billion, with significant focus, among other things, placed on the high-priority flood mitigation project for rivers in Pahang.

Meanwhile, a resident of Kampung Mengkarak, Bera, Saiful Aswat Fadzil, 51, recalled the severe floods he experienced in 2014 and 2021, which resulted in losses amounting to thousands of ringgit. He expressed hope that the implementation of a flood mitigation project would provide a timely resolution to this persistent issue.

Saiful voiced his support for the government's proactive approach, emphasising the need for prompt execution of the project, without compromising on quality, to ensure lasting benefits for the community.

“Such initiatives are highly anticipated by all of us who have been affected by flooding, and we truly appreciate the government's commitment to alleviating a problem that frequently leads to significant property damage,” said Saiful, who works as a project supervisor.

Pahang MIC Youth chief C. Uganeswaran stressed that the allocation demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the persistent flooding issues which afflict residents in the state. He asserted that resolving these challenges is crucial for the well-being of the community.

“We welcome the government's initiative as such disasters have far-reaching effects on the emotional, mental, and financial stability of the people,” he said.

--BERNAMA