Anwar Visits Regional Sewage Treatment Plant In Papan, Kinta District

IPOH, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took time to inspect the RM2.02 billion Regional Sewage Treatment Plant and Sewerage Pipeline Network Project, in Papan, Kinta district here today.

The Prime Minister's visit to the project, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, included a briefing on the latest progress of the infrastructure project.

Anwar spent time observing some of the equipment used in the project, which comprises three packages and is expected to be fully completed this year.

He also visited one of the fully completed sewage pumping stations at Taman Cempaka here.

The sewage treatment plant project, implemented by the Sewerage Services Department under the 10th Malaysia Plan, has been completed within the stipulated contract period.

When met by reporters, Fadillah said that the Regional Sewage Treatment Plant and Sewerage Pipeline Network Project in Papan, now in its third package, was expected to be fully completed this year.

"Packages one and two have already been completed, while package three is now about 88 per cent complete.

"There are some challenges, particularly related to land with cavities (limestone areas), for which we have requested the Department of Minerals to conduct studies and verification. Currently, the Sewerage Services Department (JPP) is assessing the necessary steps to complete the project," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He said the completed project would benefit residents of Ipoh, parts of Gunung Rapat, and Menglembu once the inefficient old treatment plants are closed and replaced with this new facility.

"With the new treatment plant, it will not only improve sewage treatment but also enhance public health and comfort for residents," he said.

Fadillah added that the project was being carried out with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) concerning worker safety and environmental sustainability.

"We are fully complying with these standards, and our contractors and consultants are closely monitoring to ensure all SOPs are met. Insya-Allah, this will help minimise risks such as accidents, environmental damage, and inconvenience to residents," he said.

-- BERNAMA